On your marks: Laguna LĂNG CÔ – Vietnam Airlines Triathlon to return in March 2014

Following the huge success of the inaugural Laguna Lăng Cô Triathlon in 2013, we are delighted to announce that the event will return bigger and better than before in March this year.

On Saturday 29th March 2014, professional and non-professional athletes alike will once again gather in stunning Lang Co - internationally recognised as one of the most beautiful bays in the world – to take part in our celebration of the world’s fastest growing sport. The gruelling total body workout of a triathlon combines consecutive sessions of swimming, cycling and running, a combination that has proved its popularity with the number of races and competitors increasing all over the globe. In total, up to 300 people are expected to take part in the Lang Co event across four separate age categories.  Best of all? You could still be among them.

Laguna’s combination of word class hotels (Banyan Tree Lăng Cô and Angsana Lăng Cô) combined with its stunning location along Vietnam’s breathtaking central coastline make it the perfect venue for racing. Competitors will swim 1.8km along the resort beaches and cycle for 62km through the idyllic Hue countryside before running the final 12km stretch around Laguna’s world-class golf course, designed by Sir Nick Faldo himself.

Laguna’s Managing Director, Ravi Chandran, has revealed his aim for the annual triathlon to “put Laguna Lăng Cô on the global map not only as a world-class integrated resort for all holidaymakers and second home owners but also as an exciting destination for sports and adventure aficionados.”

Last year’s men’s event was won by Italian Massimo Cigana, who will return to defend his title. Also attending this time around is Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack, a two-time world ironman champion, and they will be joined by approximately six other male professionals. The women’s race was previously won by Radka Vodickova, but as yet this year’s line-up has not been finalised.

Aside from the main event, athletes looking for a slightly less imposing course have plenty of options to choose from. There is a triathlon team relay and a duathlon, which complete the morning programme. The afternoon hosts a standalone 62km cycling race and is expected to attract a strong Vietnamese field of athletes.

The Laguna Lăng Cô Triathlon will build on the incredible success of its renowned sister event, the Laguna Phuket triathlon, which in December celebrated its 20th year in operation. It will also thrive from the continued sponsorship of our enthusiastic partners Vietnam Airlines, who we are honoured to be working with again as we promote Lăng Cô as Vietnam’s premier sports tourism location and Asia’s newest must-go-to destination. 

As well as bringing a burst of excitement to beautiful Lăng Cô, this year’s event will also help Laguna continue its prominent role to work with the local community. In 2014 we will be partnering with ‘Hue Help’ a local not for profit that teaches school children how to swim. There is currently no national requirement of curriculum for this and drowning remains the highest cause of death in children over the age of 1 in Vietnam, with a heart-wrenching average of 11,000 losing their lives every year.
Events such as the Laguna Lăng Cô Triathlon provide a superb platform to profile and support organisations making a real difference in saving and improving lives in Central Vietnam.

We look forward to providing you with more information on the triathlon in the months building up to the event. In the meantime, to find out more information and register for this fantastic occasion, please visit our website at www.lagunalangcotriathlon.com.