Singapore to host world’s 1st quadthlon
Over the last two months, triathlon enthusiasts like Helen Cheah have added a new routine to their training programme – inline skating.
Cheah, 43, is preparing for the Keppel Offshore and Marine Quadthlon this Sunday – the world’s first endurance event to include an inline skating leg.
A freelance inline skating instructor, she jumped at the chance when registration opened in June.
“This is something different and I get to combine the two things I really like – triathlons and inline skating,” she said.
More than 250 participants, including overseas competitors, have signed up for the Safra-organised event starting at Changi Beach Park.
Participants will have to swim 500m, and then put on their helmets and skates for the 12km inline skating segment. After that, they have to cycle 20km before finishing the race with a 6km run.
The traditional swim-bike-run legs of the quadthlon are just a fraction of the triathlon Olympic distances (1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run).
But endurance junkies like Cheah, who has taken part in eight triathlons and marathons this year, are still expecting a serious challenge.
She said, “Although the distances are shorter, more speed is required, so it will still be tiring, especially for those who cannot skate too well.”
Sunday’s event will include the men and women’s Open categories, and relays for both youth and corporate teams.
The quadthlon is the first of its kind in the world, said Adrian Yeo, the Safra Tampines club manager who leads the organising committee.
“There are many similar events called quadrathlons, but the extra element is usually kayaking,” he said.
“The logistics of bringing in kayaks is difficult and most Singaporeans don’t own them, so we decided that inline skating would be the best option.”
According to Yeo, inline skating is the ideal choice because the muscle movement required is different from those used for the other legs of the race.
If the quadthlon is successful, it will become an annual affair, and may even be held in neighbouring countries.
Said Yeo, “We are hoping to convince the World Quadrathlon Federation to have a circuit in the region.”