1. sports
2. swimming

IRONMAN CHALLENGE TAKES ON PUTRAJAYA
Since the dawn of existence, man has always had the age-old urge to push
himself beyond limits, to rise up to challenges, to seek out adventure and to
compete against all odds. Staying active and tough is important in today’s world
where health, fitness and mental strength are more necessary than ever.
What better way to test yourself to your breaking point in a fun and challenging
way than to enter one of the world’s most well-renowned triathlons. Now you
may revive that competitive spirit with the unforgiving and exciting Ironman
70.3.
BIGGER AND BETTER
Widely considered as one of the most anticipated adventure events of the year,
Ironman 70.3 returns as the highly renowned triathlon race takes place in
Malaysia’s Garden City – Putrajaya. Ironman 70.3, also known as a Half
Ironman, is one of a series of long distance triathlon races organised by the
World Triathlon Corporation. The "70.3" refers to the total distance in miles
(113.0 km) covered in the race, consisting of a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) swim, a 56mile (90 km) bike ride, and a 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run. Each distance of the
swim, bike, and run segments is half the distance of that segment in an Ironman
triathlon. The Ironman 70.3 series culminates each year with a World
Championship competition, of which competitors qualify for during the 70.3
series in the 12 months prior to the championship race. It will be taking place at
the new avenue at Flora, Precinct 4, Putrajaya, which is the home of the Royal
Floria Putrajaya Flower and Garden Festival.
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The swim takes place in the centrepiece of Putrajaya, a 650-hectare, manmade lake that stretches across the urban area. Dotted with botanical gardens
and smooth, wide, fast-rolling roads on the perimeter, the run and bike courses
have already become a popular training ground for many of Malaysia's local
triathletes.
Contestants comprise sports and adventure enthusiasts as well as professional
athletes alike who seek a challenge that will test their limits and push them
beyond their breaking points. The Ironman triathlon is not for the faint of heart,
but if you think you can handle it then join in for a competitive and highly intense
game of skill and endurance, or just drop by and watch the Ironman warriors pit
themselves against each other as well as the terrain in a relentless race to the
finish line on 5 April 2015.
PUTRAJAYA POWER
Situated just 23 miles from the country's capital of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya is
the federal administrative centre of Malaysia and a dynamic celebration of an
intelligent new city flanked by a breath-taking homage to new world and
traditional architecture.
Putrajaya is the perfect spot to hold such a massive and fully fledged event
such as the Ironman 70.3. The facilities and overall design of the garden city is
suited for large outdoor events, with courses, passageways and waterways of
various shapes and sizes for a large triathlon race such as Ironman 70.3 to be
conducted.
A HISTORY OF IRONMAN
The first Half Ironman branded race was Half Ironman UK, which was raced in
2001. However, prior to the launch of the 70.3 series in 2005, races were then
known as Half Ironman before adopting the Ironman 70.3 label.
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The oldest half iron-distance race, though not under the WTC umbrella at the
time, is the Superfrog Triathlon, which began in 1979. The number of
qualification events within the 70.3 series has grown steadily matching the
increased popularity of the sport. Since 2006, the first year of the Ironman 70.3
Championship race, the series has grown from 14 events to over 60 events in
the span of seven years. The biggest increase in the number of events came
between the 2011 and 2012 series when the number of races grew from 38 to
57.
SO WHAT IS A TRIATHLON?
A triathlon is a multiple-stage competition involving the completion of three
continuous and sequential endurance disciplines. While many variations of the
sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and
running in immediate succession over various distances. Triathletes compete
for fastest overall course completion time, including timed "transitions" between
the individual swim, cycle, and run components.
Usually, a transition area is set up where the athletes change gear for different
segments of the race. This is where the switches from swimming to cycling and
cycling to running occur. These areas are used to store bicycles, performance
apparel, and any other accessories needed for the next stage of the race. The
transition from swim and bike is referred to as T1 and that between the bike
and run is referred to as T2. The athlete's overall time for the race includes time
spent in T1 and T2. Transitions areas vary in size depending on the number of
participants expected. In addition, these areas provide a social headquarters
before the race.
The nature of the sport focuses on persistent and often periodised training in
each of the three disciplines, as well as combination workouts and general
strength conditioning.
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So get ready for the ultimate test of strength and endurance at the Ironman 70.3
in Putrajaya and push yourself to the very limit!
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For more information or enquiries, please contact Visit Malaysia Year
Secretariat, at 03-8891 7000 or log on to www.myfest2015.com.my.
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