Podium finishes for Singapore's Ng Xuan Jie, Rachel Hew and Ahmad Arif Ibrahim in Singapore Duathlon National Championships
Singapore, 24 November 2024 – 19 year-old Singapore triathlete Ng Xuan Jie won the Women’s Category of the Singapore Duathlon National Championships yesterday, a continuation of the youngster's rise in prominence in Singapore's endurance sports scene. She was joined on the podium by fellow country woman Rachel Hew who clinched third.
Speaking to SportPlus.sg, Xuan Jie expressed that her goal was to do better than before and was pleased to be able to do so.
"This performance reassures my commitment and dedication for this sport and I'm even more motivated to train harder," she said. "I've had my learnings from this race and hope to continue taking home these invaluable lessons."
She added, "I'm excited for the SEA Games in 2025 and will continue developing myself to become a better athlete on and off the field."
"I can't wait for what 2025 has to offer but to close the 2024 season off, I would like to thank everyone who has been there to guide and support me along the way, as I couldn't have done it alone."
In the men's category, Ahmad Arif Ibrahim narrowly missed out on top spot by a second to Philippines' Raymond Torio, in what was a very competitive men's field.
Said Arif after his race: "I had this race as my main goal for the second half of the year. However, a nasty lung infection in late August derailed by training for 6 weeks."
"So I did what I could and just tried my best. I still managed to clock my fastest run for a second run in a duathlon, so overall I exceeded my expectations. This serves as a good confidence booster for the upcoming season, hopefully health and training stays on top and I can see the fruits from my training."
"The overall plan is to first qualify and subsequently fight for a medal at next year's SEA Games, and at a more micro level there are some targets to hit for the running and biking next year."
Held within closed roads in Singapore's city centre, the event brought together almost a thousand athletes for a thrilling multi-sport experience, featuring a rare bike-start, bike-finish format against the backdrop of Singapore’s skyline.
The event wasn't just about the region's elite athletes either, with the Singapore Duathlon National Championship held in conjunction with the TriFactor Bike & CycleRun, in what was deemed as the grand finale to an eventful year for the TriFactor Asia Series which celebrates community, competition, and inclusivity.
Growing the Sport in Singapore
Held in partnership with the Triathlon Association of Singapore, this year’s event attracted 21 per cent of first-time participants, underlining the importance of creating platforms that encourage newcomers and experienced athletes alike to participate in endurance sports to help the scene grow.
Unlike traditional duathlons that follow a run-bike-run format, the TriFactor Bike & CycleRun is one of the few events to feature a bike-start, bike-finish format, making it a distinctive challenge for athletes of all levels.
The event saw athletes from 19 nationalities spanning across the globe in its participation, making it an international gathering of friends as participants hailed from Singapore, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others.
Inclusive Format
Worth noting is also the inclusive race format that was incorporated into the event - from a 5km cycling event and foldie rides to the traditional run-bike-run and the signature TriFactor Bike-Run-Bike format, as organisers looked to cater to athletes of all ages and abilities, earning its title as the most inclusive bike-run event in Asia.
The event also spanned generations, with participants ranging from the youngest at 7 years old to the oldest at 65 years old, showcasing a remarkable age gap of nearly 60 years. For families like Tom Segboer and his three children, the event was a bonding opportunity.
“We had so much fun. The routes were excellent, the race was well-organised, and it was a blast for both me and my kids!” he said.
Standout Performances and Results
The event showcased incredible athleticism across multiple categories, including a celebration of Singaporean and Filipino podium finishes in the National Duathlon Championship.
Elite 49km Category
Khoon Tong (Singapore): 1:09:30 – Champion
William Mitchell (Singapore): 1:09:31 – 2nd Place
Eamon Lim (Singapore): 1:09:37 – 3rd Place
National Duathlon Championship Results
Women’s Category
Xuan Jie Ng (Singapore): 1:08:18 – 1st Place
Sam Corpuz (Philippines): 1:09:00 – 2nd Place
Rachel Hew (Singapore): 1:09:49 – 3rd Place
Men’s Category
Raymond Torio (Philippines): 58:17 – 1st Place
Ahmad Aarif Ibrahim (Singapore): 58:18 – 2nd Place
John Patric Ciron (Philippines): 58:19 – 3rd Place
Mr. James Middleditch , Secretary General of Triathlon Association of Singapore, was enthusiastic with the outcome of the event, sharing: “Our collaboration with TriFactor Asia underscores our shared commitment to growing multi-sport participation. Seeing over 21% new participants in a multisport space is a testament to the success of our initiatives in making duathlons more accessible to all.”
Elvin Ting, Founder and Managing Director, TriFactor Asia added: “As the final leg of the TriFactor Asia Series, this event exemplifies our vision of fostering fitness, community, and inclusivity. We’re thrilled to see such a strong turnout and enthusiastic participation, especially from first-time athletes.”
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