National Games organisers draw up triathlon route

The National Games Secretariat here has finalised the route for the triathlon event, a multi-stage competition involving the sequential completion of three disciplines: swimming, cycling and running.

The ‘triathletes’ will swim 1.5 km in Vellayani Lake to and fro. They will then mount their bicycles and pedal to the bypass junction to Kovalam Junction via Punkulam, Pachalloor and Vazhamuttom. They will then pedal their way back to Vazhamuttom covering a distance of 10 km.

The remaining 30-km distance is marked as a 5-km loop one way to Cordova Public School, Ambalathara, and back to Vazhamuttom, three times. The finishing point will be at Vazhamuttom Junction.

They have hardly the time to catch a breath since the next and last event will prove the true test for stamina and endurance levels of a triathlete.

The 10-km run will begin from Vazhamuttom Junction to Cordova Public School, Ambalathara, and back to finish at Vazhamuttam Junction itself.

The triathlon event is usually organised in both individual and team formats. In the individual event, one athlete has to do the swimming, cycling and running.

Three different athletes will individually participate for each discipline in a team event. Athletes are lined up in the order of start numbers. Once the position is selected, the athlete cannot occupy any other.

At the end of each sequence, a transition area has been set up for the athletes to change their suits. There will be rehydration stations at regular intervals on the triathlon route. Medical facilities are also arranged.

Pooja Chaurushi from Gujarat is expected to participate in the 35th National Games here. She had won silver and bronze in 34th National Games and gold in the South Asian Championship held recently in Nepal.

The proposed event here will match Olympic standards which specify 1.5 km of swimming, 40 km of cycling and 10 km of running.