The 11th edition of the International Sunrise TriFest @ Desaru concluded on a high note this past Sunday, cementing its reputation as one of Malaysia’s premier multisport festivals. Held at the Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort, the event drew approximately 1,000 participants from nearly 30 countries to battle it out across triathlon and aquathlon disciplines.

The grueling flagship 113 Triathlon—featuring a 2.25km swim, 90km bike, and 21km run—saw regional athletes dominate the demanding course. Singapore’s Dex Cheong put on a masterclass of endurance, crossing the finish line in a blistering 4:48:36 to claim the men’s overall title. He comfortably held off the Netherlands’ Dave Lommen (5:04:16) and Austria’s Martin Malleier (5:15:44), who secured second and third respectively.

In the women’s 113 Triathlon, it was a clean sweep for Singapore. Regine Goh captured the crown with an impressive time of 5:32:51. She was joined on the podium by compatriots Jaime Lim (6:47:36) and Ong Rou Yuen (8:04:53).

The Olympic Distance category (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run) brought cheers for the host nation as Malaysia’s Lee Wen Jun emerged as the men’s champion. Lee delivered a commanding performance to stop the clock at 2:14:33, outpacing Singapore’s Glenn Yin (2:38:46) and France’s Yan Moreno (2:41:44).

Meanwhile, Singapore’s Vivian Kng took the women’s Olympic Distance title in 2:42:52, fending off a strong challenge from Australian junior elite athlete Michaella Widjaya (2:51:56) and France’s Astrid Forestier (3:04:24).

Beyond the standard distances, this year’s Sunrise TriFest successfully brought back the punishing Ultra Aquathlon (2.25km swim and 21km run) as a unique highlight for long-course specialists. The weekend also saw the introduction of several new, shorter aquathlon categories designed to welcome newcomers and grassroots competitors into the multisport fold.

Reflecting on the success of the weekend, Race Director Andy Foo highlighted the community-driven spirit of the event. “Multisport is not only about competition. It’s also about family, healthy living, challenging yourself, and creating memories together through these adrenaline-filled experiences,” Foo said.

With its international footprint expanding and a wide array of categories catering to both elites and novices, the Sunrise TriFest @ Desaru continues to be a cornerstone event in the Asian multisport calendar.