Teenager's remarkable debut in Int'l Penang Triathlon and Duathlon

An 18-year-old teenager from the Penang swimming squad made a memorable debut in the Penang International Triathlon and Duathlon in Teluk Bahang, Penang today by finishing second in the women's open category here despite coming down with cramps towards the end.

Rachel Heah Zi Xin, 18, a state swimmer and former Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Convent Green Lane student clocked 3 hours 46 minutes and 44 seconds to finish the race behind seasoned campaigner Laurel Stelzer from the United States who clocked 3'12:16s to win the race.

"In the swimming routine, I was ahead of Stelzer with a time of 18 minutes 21 seconds but she moved ahead in the cycling and run but I stayed close to her.

"However, in the second stage of running, I suffered cramps but continued to jog my way to the finish line," she said.

In the men's category, Wilson Lee Chein Wern, 26, from Kuala Lumpur was also in superb form when he clocked 2'38:57s to finish 1 minute 12 seconds behind Cheython Thibaut from France who won the men's open Triathlon.

"I am participating in the competition for the second year. Last year I clocked 2'30:56s but finished in sixth spot, so I am happy with the result.

"Furthermore, this year there a 1.5km run was added," he said.

About 1,300 participants from Malaysia, United Kingdom, Cambodia, Vietnam,Thailand and Singapore took part in the race that was flagged off by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.