Port Dickson International Triathlon 2016

I participated this triathlon out of curiosity.

I could do running and the occasional swim in the pool (of course I was a much better swimmer in my younger days) and I recently started experimenting cycling. However, I was thinking to myself, not another expensive hobby after photography, motorcycling and now cycling? Seriously enough I had a friend's help and bought a RM 200 single gear bicycle for the purpose. It won't be fast but my objective is just to finish the race. I was doing a sprint with 750 meter swim, 20 km cycling and finishes off with a 5 km run. 

Lots of emotion in this event as later on I found out that someone actually died in the morning swim. prayers and condolences to the family. 

http://www.sinarharian.com.my/semasa/peserta-pdit-2016-mati-lemas-1.554350 

The named event is being held yearly at the Avilion Admiral Cove.

Race pack collection was done at the club house.Seen here club house entrance with several booths selling their products including suits, watches, sunglasses, swim wear, running gears etc. 

The same race info on the website on display.

Entrance of the race pack collection where you'd get your racing bib, timing chip (or band), swimming cap, t-shirt etc. More of that after this.

You have to sign this release form.

Not that long a queue.

After I collected my race pack, I went around the beach and see the preparation works.

Much work to be done for the organizers.

Suunto was one of the official sponsor.

This was how the finishing line would be on the next day.

This was the route back to the transition area, where you park your bicycle.

The finishing line.

The briefing held after the dinner at the hotel. The fee paid was including buffet dinner for one. Additional meal tickets could be bought during the race pack collection by the hotel staff at about RM 37 per pax, halve that for kids.

The atmosphere of the briefing was somewhat casual with jokes being cracked by the organizer uncle Chan. He also announced that he will be retiring and will let both his sons be in charge of the yearly event next year.

During the briefing it was also the same night Lee Chong Wei beat Lin Dan at the Rio Olympics for him to proceed to the final which he lost to Chen Long eventually the next day after. The drama. The video below shows the crowd cheering after knowing that LCW has beaten Lin Dan.

Back in the hotel room, these are the items inside the race pack. T shirt, running bib, timing tag (to be velcroed on your leg), a race sticker on your bicycle helmet and another race flag to be pasted below the seat of your bike. Finally the tattoo which, according to the race info, to be tattooed on the upper left arm.

Here are the details from the race info provided by the organizer on the race info website. Below are the information on where to display your racing bib and your bike race number on the bike and helmet. 

And the info on how to put on the timing tag on your right leg. 

The race info website was taken down just a day after the event. The below was the course of the race sent by the organizer. But I find it not very accurate especially you can't google most of the landmarks in the map. 

For the swim, as you can see from the red parabolic icon which was about 300 meters away from the hotel. the swim was actually a square rather than the L shape as above. There were 5 large floating buoys which you have to swim pass on your left during the race. 

This is how I thought the swimming course look like. A square course. After the swim, you will run a short distance (through a shower tunnel) to the transition area where your bike is parked with your belongings. 

  

I would really advise first timer or those who are not a very good swimmer to get one of these for the swim. Especially if the wave is strong. 

Here is the actual cycling course in google map. I could not get google to show the cycle route as strangely cycling is not available for this route. Regardless, the route takes you from the hotel head towards the Seremban - Port Dickson highway and turn right after about 6 km onto the trunk road N8. The route was only slightly hilly and u turn at a small Felda village, ladang Sua Betong.  Distance between the hotel and the village is about 10 km, the complete track was 20 km.  

For the 5 km run, the track was quite scenic. From the hotel, you turn left onto the main road and you will reach Bay Beach Resort half way at 2.5km where a water station. On the way there at around KM 1.5 you have to detour just beside the narrow beach road to avoid traffic and run off course with a very nice scenery. More of that after this. 

This is how the transition area look like. Bicycle were hung on the railing. 

A small basket was provided by the organizer where you place your shoes, goggles, t shirt, swimming cap etc.

This was the course for 5K.

The road was still open, beware of traffic.

This was the detour at KM 1,5.

Beautiful scenery.

The track, not so scenic.

This picture is taken after the half way mark, after the water station.

Running on the beach.

This is the marking that tells you that you are still on course.

2 more KM to go then I was done.

I feel like I was trespassing.

Hope that there are no sharp objects here. Those who are running barefoot be prepared.

Finally back at the finish line.

This is where you return the timing tag and get your RM 50 back.

The medal.

Big ass medal.