Asia’s Largest Duathlon Event Powers Up For Record 2,500 Duathletes

30 August 2013 - Malakoff Powerman Asian Championships 2013 was jointly launched today with Malaysia Environment Week (MASM), organized by the Department of Environment (DOE) at The Everly Hotel, Putrajaya. The Malakoff Powerman Asian Championships 2013 will be the anchor event at the closing ceremony of MASM, that will be held on 27 October 2013, the event date of Powerman. MASM will be a week-long event organized by DOE from 21-17 October 2013. DOE supports Powerman which aims to promote a carbon-neutral lifestyle amongst Malaysians such as running and cycling.

Approximately 2,500 professional and amateur duathletes are expected to compete on 27 October in Putrajaya, be it for cash prizes worth RM122,400 and the coveted qualifying spots in the World Championships in Switzerland, or for the sheer thrill of finishing the biggest duathlon event in Asia.

Speaking at the launch, Zainal Abidin Jalil, the Chief Executive Officer of Malakoff said, “As Asia’s largest duathlon challenge, the Malakoff Powerman Asian Championships is an event that attracts duathletes from across the continent eager to compete in this prestigious tournament with its global status. Malakoff is very pleased to host the Championships which has successfully positioned Malaysia as a hub for international duathlons.”

“This year, we are pleased to collaborate with the Department of Environment for the Championships. Given the event’s growing influence, we are confident that it will be able to inspire more Malaysians to run and cycle regularly thereby helping reduce carbon emission in the country,” he added.

Registration for the 12th edition of the Powerman Championships is currently open until 9 September 2013. Avid duathletes can participate in the Elite or Individual Categories comprising 11.4km Run – 64km Bike – 11.4km Run challenge.

Racers interested to compete in the same distance together with family and friends as a team can register for the Power Relay categories. Meanwhile, beginners can test their endurance and race half the aforementioned distance in the Sprint Categories.

Present to officiate the Malaysia Environment Week alongside the Championships’ launch, Dato’ Halimah Hassan, Director-General, DOE said, “This event fosters running and cycling as an alternative means of commuting and we hope more Malaysians will adopt similar practices in their daily life. Not only are these activities healthy, they are also environmentally friendly as they do not produce harmful carbon emissions.”

Sharing his excitement on the upcoming Powerman race which will mark the finale for the Malaysia Environment Week, he added, “There could not have been a better way to wrap-up the week-long Campaign by celebrating it on a high note with thousands of athletes and environmentalists right at Putrajaya,” he added.

Over the years, the Powerman Asian Championships has established itself as a leading sporting event in Asia. The event has successfully attracted a record of close to 1,860 participants from over 30 countries in the prestigious endurance challenge last year which was an eight-fold increase from its inaugural event held in 2002.

Formerly known as Powerman Malaysia, the event was upgraded in 2012 by the International Powerman Association (IPA) to Malakoff Powerman Asian Duathlon Championships, in recognition of the success the event has enjoyed over the decade.

For further details on the upcoming Malakoff Powerman Asian Championships 2013, please visit www.powerman.com.my