[Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, August 29] – The mini duathlon event titled "The Luxury Collection, Labuan Bajo Swim & Run" concluded successfully on Monday (August 29) at Wae Rana beach, Labuan Bajo.
Supported by Marriott International, the event featured national athletes who participated in route evaluation and infrastructure readiness tests for future sporting events. During this joint training and trial race, athletes completed a 1.5 km swim and a 10 km run.
Aflah Fadlan Prawira, an Indonesian swimmer holding multiple national records and an Olympian at Tokyo 2020, expressed strong support for Labuan Bajo as a promising location for endurance sports competitions.
"The water is crystal clear and the temperature is perfect for open-water swimming. I managed to finish first in the swim section," said Fadlan.
Echoing his sentiment, Patricia Yosita, gold medalist at PON XX Papua 2020 and national record-holder for the 100-meter freestyle, also praised Labuan Bajo's breathtaking marine scenery.
"The swim route here is unique and memorable, with tranquil waters surrounded by islands and hills—it's truly stunning," said Patricia.
Inge Prasetyo, silver medalist in Triathlon at the recent SEA Games Hanoi, added that Labuan Bajo offers a running route with exciting elevation changes.
"The running path here includes steep climbs and descents, which would definitely make competitions more challenging—but also rewarding, thanks to the extraordinary views," she noted.
Also participating were Kania Atmaja, a specialist in the 50-meter sprint event, and swimming coach Omar Suryaatmadja, contributing to the event's dynamic atmosphere.
Ivan Widarmana, Vice President of Hotel Development Asia Pacific at Marriott International, emphasized that Labuan Bajo, while renowned for its natural and cultural richness, holds great potential for sports tourism.
"Endurance sports are growing rapidly worldwide and have the power to attract a wide range of visitors to tourist destinations. With its diverse and beautiful landscapes of sea, beach, and hills, Labuan Bajo is an ideal setting for both national and international sports tourism activities."
Ivan also highlighted the economic benefits of such events:
"With strong collaboration among government, businesses, media, and communities, I believe organizing sports-based events like this can help advance tourism in Labuan Bajo and showcase its rich cultural heritage and local wisdom on the global stage."