PULAU KAPAS: Three-time Kapas Marang International Swimathon champion Benjamin Konschak from Germany will be among the 400 swimmers taking part in the state’s annual open sea swim event this year on March 19.
Konschak, who set a new record in 2014, will be up against swimmers from 26 countries, including the United States, Czech Republic, Norway, Algeria, Australia, Canada, China, Egypt and United Kingdom.
Of the participants, 330 Malaysians have signed-up and another 70 are international swimmers.
The 6.5km open sea swim was last won by a Malaysian, Tern Jian Han, with the time of 1:27:18.
State Tourism and Cultural deputy committee chairman Wan Abdul Hakim Wan Mokhtar said the race will start at Pulau Kapas and end on Pantai Kelulut.
He added that the course will be truly challenging as the swimmers will have to battle against the elements of nature, among others, the strong undercurrents present along this stretch.
“The participants, I believe, are all fired up to beat the record set by Konschak, who may even set a new record this year,” he told reporters at Pulau Kapas today.
He added that with the presence of strong swimmers from the US, France, UK and China, it will be a close fight to the end.
In conjunction with Visit Beautiful Terengganu Year 2017, the committee hope that this swim event can draw more visitors and tourists to the state.