Compete with the world's best at the Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2002

Renowned amongst the world's top triathletes as South East Asia's premier multisport event, the Laguna Phuket Triathlon is throwing down the gauntlet for amateur athletic teams to enter its first ever team relay to be staged 30 November 2002. Now in its ninth year, the Laguna Phuket Triathlon is sponsored by Thai Airways International and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

For the first time in the history of the Laguna Phuket Triathlon, 2002 will see the introduction of the 3-person relay team which will give competitors the opportunity to race side by side with international professionals such as 2002 Commonwealth Games Triathlon gold medallist, Carol Montgomery from Canada and 2001 Ironman Triathlon World Champion, American Tim DeBoom. Whilst the team relay will commence shortly after the 8.00am individual triathlon race start, both races will run simultaneously over the same racecourse.

Relay teams of three members, comprising one swimmer, one cyclist and one runner, will each complete one leg of the 1.8-kilometre swim, 55-kilometre cycle and 12-kilometre run. Team categories are based on the combined ages of team members all of whom must be over the age of 18. The Masters category applies to teams with combined ages of 120 years and over, whilst the Open category applies to 119 years and under. Teams can either be of the same or mixed sexes.

Commented Event Manager Debbie Dionysius: "This new twist to the triathlon will make for some exciting viewing by spectators, especially at the transit points. The new relay race now makes the event accessible to those athletes who are not skilled at all three disciplines and adds an element of fun and camaraderie."

The race is limited to 30 relay teams and 500 individual entries. Athletes from more than 20 countries are expected to compete.

For more information about the team relay event and to obtain team entry forms visit www.lagunaphukettriathlon.com. Closing date for entries is 10 November.