Boost for budding duathletes

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THE fifth edition of the Malakoff University Duathlon Series (MUDS) will start with the first leg at the Universiti Pertahanan Malaysia (UPNM) on Sept 24.

The second leg will be at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) on Oct 1 followed by the grand final at Universiti Malaya on Oct 15.

The organisers — Malakoff Corporation — are expecting about 800 participants for the run-bike-run tri-legged MUDS.

Let’s do it: The organisers and some of the participants and winners from previous years in a group photo during the launch.

Malakoff corporate affairs and communication head Yusop Rashid said the main objective of the MUDS was to boost the “Duathlete Community’’ in Malaysia.

“We are offering shorter distance races suitable for participants of various levels of fitness.

“Malakoff has recognised there is growing interest in this multi-sport event in Malaysia and has prompted us to support the event for the fifth time,’’ said Yusop.

The inaugural MUDS was held in 2003 with 321 participants. With increasing awareness and interest in duathlons, the race has gained popularity with 739 participants in the 2010 edition.

The MUDS has four categories — University (men and women), Open (men and women), team (mixed and men) and media (men and women).

The top five winners in the university and open categories as well as the top three winners in team and media categories will be awarded with medals and hampers.

Yusop said MUDS has also gained popularity as an event which encourages healthy lifestyle.

“MUDS is a good opportunity to explore a fun sporting even that provides visible health benefits as well.

“As such we are confident that MUDS loyalists, who always vouch for this aspect of the event, will surely join in again this year,” he said.

Yusop also urged first timers and amateurs of various fitness levels to explore this sporting event.

“We have specially designed the race route to make it acceptable for first timers,” he said.

UPNM’s Chan Jun Shen, the men’s champion in the University category last year, will be taking part in the MUDS for the third time.

“It is not an easy competition. There are some strong rivals but I am confident of defending my title,’’ said the 22-year-old Jun Shen.

Nestle PowerBar, one of the sponsors of MUDS, will be conducting coaching clinics a day prior to each leg of the circuit.