Indonesia is becoming the place for multi-sport racing, with two destinations in the archipelago nation getting honored as among the best of Asia’s triathlon destinations in 2016.
AsiaTri, a website covering all things triathlon in Asia ranked Bintan and Bali at the top of its 2016 races list.
Best overall short course triathlon in Asia went to the Bali International Triathlon, while best long distance triathlon swim course went to the Bintan Ironman in Sumatra’s Riau province.
What made the Bali race stand out was that it offered athletes—especially foreign competitors flying to Bali just for the race—a Balinese experience, from the pre-race bike blessing ceremony, to a pasta party on the beach, to post-race sunset cocktails, AsiaTri explained in its rankings.
This year, Bali’s tri moved to Sanur—it’s previously been held in Jimbaran. The move was an advantage because the bike course was totally blocked off from traffic this year, according to AsiaTri.
Bintan, which is just a quick ferry ride from Singapore, got the nod for its swim course this year for its idyllic setting: “no one in sight, coconut trees and blue waters.”
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