736 Atheletes For Langkawi Ironman

LANGKAWI, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- A total of 736 athletes from 41 countries have confirmed their participation at the Langkawi Ironman 2010 here on Feb 27, event director Datuk A. Chandrakumanan said.Defending champions for both men and women categories respectively, Luke Mackenzie and Belinda Granger, both from Australia were among those who confirmed their participation, he said when contacted.The athletes were from Germany, Japan, South Africa, New Zealand, the United States, Italy, Argentina, Belgium, Australia, Canada and Asean countries, he added.He said the organiser also received participations from 225 local athletes including former national cyclists Mohd Hafiz Wong Abdullah.The champhionship offers US$50,000(RM170,500) in cash and involves three disciplines namely swimming (3.8km), cycling (180km) and running (42.2km).-- BERNAMA