If you’re a fit and active person, chances are you’ve considered doing a triathlon in Singapore. This swimming, cycling and running event is really popular here. We recently chatted with CEO of the Professional Triathletes Organisation SAM RENOUF about the upcoming Singapore T100 event. As a former pro himself, he’s got some good tips for triathlon training to help you achieve your best if you choose take on the challenge!
What’s the origin story behind the Professional Triathletes Organisation?
The PTO is a new sports body that is co-owned by its professional athletes, seeking to elevate and grow the sport of triathlon and take it to the next level. It’s triathlon’s version of the PGA or LPGA in golf, or the ATP and WTA in tennis. We launched a new global tour for the sport this year – the T100 Triathlon World Tour – aiming to be the F1 of the Endurance Sports world.
It’s a season-long schedule of eight T100 races with a combined prize fund of US$7 million. It starts in Miami, then visits Singapore, before going on to San Francisco, London, Ibiza, Lake Las Vegas, Dubai, and a Grand Final in November in the Middle East. Following a ground-breaking partnership with triathlon’s international governing body, World Triathlon, the T100 series has been made the ‘official World Championship for long distance triathlon’. So, our series will climax by crowning the first ever T100 women’s and men’s World Champions.
Tell us more about the upcoming triathlon in Singapore.
The Singapore T100 will take place next month on the weekend of 13 and 14 April. It will feature some of the top 20 female and male triathletes in the world racing over the 100km distance around a course in the heart of the Marina Bay financial district. The swim will be in the stunning Marina Bay; the bike will be a multi-lap 16km circuit starting and finishing at the Bayfront Event Space and taking athletes up the famous Benjamin Sheares Bridge; and the running event will give panoramic views of the city and the Singapore Flyer.
What are the different triathlon and duathlon events on offer?
Alongside the professional 100km races, we’ll be offering a wide range of race opportunities, so there’s something for everyone. If you want to take on the same 100km challenge as the pros, you’ll need to be quick as the last few places are going fast! Or, if you’re after a cycling and running event without the swim, there are a couple of different distance duathlons. One is a standard 4.5km run, 32km bike and 4.5km run and the other is a longer 9km run, 64km bike and 9km run.
But if that still feels a little daunting on your own, there are relay options for each of the races. Plus, there’s the 5km Music Run, which is a fun running event. Whether you’re an experienced amateur or a beginner, or looking to take on a challenge by yourself or have fun with your friends as part of a team – we’ve got you covered.
Why do you think triathlon in Singapore is so popular?
You don’t have to book a court or find friends to make triathlon training work. It’s a very easy activity to do on your own. But it’s also something that’s fun to do in a group, so you can have the best of both worlds. I think there’s a great sense of achievement that comes with setting and then completing your own goals.
Singapore is very safe, so people can go cycling or running any time they want. And there are relatively few hills, so that makes it less daunting, especially for beginners.
Speaking of beginners, how is PTO making the sport more mainstream?
Ultimately, we’re looking to give people a chance to not just come along and see our amazing professional athletes race, but also be inspired themselves to get involved. When you break it down, triathlon is a combination of three very popular and basic sports – swimming, cycling and running. Everyone has usually tried at least one of them.
Even if you’re not able to participate, you can watch the action on TV. Both pro races will be live on meWATCH in Singapore with highlights on Channel 5. Or get lowdown and backstories of our athletes on the T100 YouTube Hub.
What’s the vibe like at the event?
The festival atmosphere around Marina Bay last year was very special. It was the number one thing that the over 6000 participants who took part said they enjoyed most. Being a public course, thousands of fans were able to line the route to cheer on their favourite athletes, friends or family. Many even held up handmade signs for that extra burst of encouragement. There’s something inspiring about seeing live professional sporting action that really gets people excited and engaged. And the backdrop of iconic buildings like Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum helped to up the ante.
What pro triathlon training tips do you have for beginners and seasoned athletes?
That’s the great thing about triathlon, you’re really competing against yourself. So, whether you’re just starting out or doing your umpteenth triathlon or duathlon, it’s about setting your own goals.
Triathlon training for beginners is mainly about building up your endurance slowly over time and trying to go a little further on each outing. But for the more experienced campaigners, I’d encourage them to really think about their nutrition and hydration plan. Both are always going to be super important and are sometimes referred to as the ‘fourth discipline’. Getting it right over the course of a longer race can really make a huge difference, especially in more hot and humid conditions in Singapore.
What are you waiting for? Take the challenge and sign up for this triathlon in Singapore!
t100triathlon.com
Images: The Professional Triathletes Association
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