Pattaya, Thailand, 9 November 2024 – After a five-year hiatus, the internationally renowned open water swimming championship, Swimathon presented by TriFactor, returned to the scenic shores of Pattaya, Thailand. The two-day event, held on November 9th and 10th, was organized in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Muang Thai Life Assurance, the Foundation for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environmental Safety, and Na Jomtien Subdistrict Municipality in Chonburi Province.
This year’s event welcomed more than 1,000 open water swimmers from around the globe, solidifying Thailand’s place as a world-class destination for open water competitions. Now in its ninth year, Swimathon presented by TriFactor has earned a strong reputation for maintaining international standards. The event is estimated to have generated over 70 million baht for the Chonburi tourism economy.
Adding to the excitement, the competition included an innovative Aqua Race event—a Run, Swim, Run challenge—designed to attract runners interested in expanding their athletic pursuits and testing their endurance with a multi-discipline format.
Results and Highlights
In the highlight 10-kilometer Swimathon event, Indonesia’s Omar Suryaatmadja, 42, emerged victorious in the men’s category with a time of 2:59:22, followed by Sergio Chiarandini from Italy in second place (2:59:45) and Kensuke Shibuya from Japan in third (3:06:10).
The women’s 10-kilometer race saw Sophie Peat, 34, from the United States take the title with a time of 3:36:44. Thai swimmer Oraporn Dumrongwongsiri captured second place (3:43:16), while Eleri Fowler from the United States finished third (4:08:56).
In the 5-kilometer Half Swimathon race, Thailand’s own Araya Phumjitamorn retained the championship with a strong performance, completing the course in 1:18:14.
Elvin Ting, Co-founder and Managing Director of TriFactor Asia, shared his enthusiasm: “It’s wonderful to be back in Thailand after five years. We’ve missed the energy and warm welcome from the Thai community. We’re already looking forward to next year, so stay tuned for more TriFactor events!”
Mr. Anusit Sukprasert (Golf), Founder of Able Agency Co., Ltd., expressed his gratitude, stating, “We are truly grateful to have TriFactor as our licensing partner. Their reputation for excellence in sports event management and commitment to promoting active, healthy lifestyles aligns perfectly with our vision. Together, we’re excited to elevate the experience for athletes and sports enthusiasts in Thailand and create lasting impact in the community.”
