Khairy completes Putrajaya Ironman triathlon

Khairy (right) competing during the cycling stage of the Putrajaya Ironman triathlon. - Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Khairy Jamaluddin has completed the gruelling 113km-long Putrajaya Ironman triathlon on Sunday, the first Malaysian minister to do so.

The Youth and Sports Minister completed the Ironman 70.3 Putrajaya challenge in 7 hours, 36 minutes and 51 seconds, which has three stages - swimming, cycling and running.

"I loved it. It was physically and mentally brutal but that's what the Ironman is about," said Khairy.

Khairy was satisfied with his achievement as he had never participated in a triathlon or even a half-marathon before.

"This is a wonderful event that brings top athletes from all over the world to Malaysia.

"I hope the Ironman stays in Malaysia and I look forward to competing again next year," he said.

Participants in the Ironman challenge have to swim for 1.9km, cycle for 90km and run another 21.2km.

Khairy is the minister behind the FitMalaysia and Hari Sukan Negara programmes, which aims to push the country to become a "sporting nation".