PHUKET, Thailand – Asia’s longest-running and most legendary triathlon, the 31st Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT), concluded in spectacular fashion, drawing over 1,000 triathletes from around the globe to “Race the Legend” at Laguna Grove. The event delivered a day of high-octane action and fierce rivalry, underscored by historic performances and the stunning backdrop of Thailand’s premier resort destination.
The adrenaline-charged morning kicked off at 06:30 AM on Bang Tao Beach. Athletes tackled the unique LPT distance, which comprises a challenging 1.8km swim across both the Andaman Sea and the resort lagoon, followed by a gruelling 50km bike ride through Phuket’s scenic, hilly routes, and an epic 12km run. The entire course was energized by over 3,000 enthusiastic spectators who lined the routes.
Men’s Elite: A Historic Sprint Finish
The Men’s Elite division captivated the crowd with one of the most exciting finishes in LPT history. New Zealand’s Tayler Reid, returning for his second year, surged to victory, finishing in a blistering time of 02:12:39, successfully smashing his own previous record for the course.
The race evolved into a rare and electrifying “photo finish” scenario. Reid barely managed to hold off the relentless charge of runner-up Josh Ferris (Australia), who finished just seconds behind at 02:12:53. The two international heavyweights traded the lead throughout the demanding course, with Reid’s final surge in the run section securing his hard-fought win. Rounding out the podium in third place was Rostyslav Pevtsov (Ukraine) with a time of 02:19:07.
Women’s Elite: Taylor-Brown Dominates
The Women’s Elite field delivered equally heated competition, ultimately showcasing a masterclass performance by the United Kingdom’s Georgia Taylor-Brown. Displaying superior form across all three disciplines, Taylor-Brown crossed the finish line first to claim the championship title with an impressive time of 02:27:57.
She was followed by Nicole van der Kaay (New Zealand) in second place, who finished in 02:35:26. The podium was completed by Justine Guérard (France), taking third place with a time of 02:38:45.
Upholding national pride, local legend Jaray Jearanai defended his reputation as the top Thai athlete, finishing with an impressive time of 02:47:55 and once again proving his dominance on home soil.
Beyond the Triathlon: Open Water Swim Success
The weekend’s excitement was not confined to Sunday’s main event. The action kicked off early with the “Open Water Swim presented by TriHub” on Saturday, November 22. The 5km challenge served as the perfect warm-up, demonstrating the fitness levels of a broader range of aquatic athletes. In the women’s challenge, Rodina Liudmila claimed victory with a blistering time of 00:52:55, while Alexander Taraskin took the men’s title with a time of 01:23:46.
The success of both the triathlon and the swim event highlights the resort’s growing capacity and reputation for hosting diverse, multi-sport events that meet international standards.
Laguna Phuket: Evolving into Asia’s Sports Destination
Mr. Paul Wilson, Managing Director of Laguna Phuket, summarized the event’s success and future vision, congratulating the winners and all participants who helped create history in the 31st edition.
“Today’s success confirms that Laguna Phuket is evolving beyond being just the ‘Home of Triathlon.’ We are moving toward becoming Asia’s premier fully integrated Sports Destination, ready to host diverse world-class events ranging from beach volleyball to multi-sport championships and professional training camps,” Wilson stated.
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He further announced significant future expansion plans, noting that 2026 will mark a major turning point with the launch of over 2,000 new room keys. “This expansion elevates us into a massive Sports Hospitality Hub capable of welcoming global athletes and fans. We are committed to blending sport with nature and relaxation, perfectly answering the growing trend of Wellness and Sustainable Sport Tourism.” The 31st Laguna Phuket Triathlon was organized in collaboration with several key public and private sector partners, including Phuket Province, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and Thai Airways.
