Shillong, June 23: Barely a week after its formation on June 15, the Meghalaya Triathlon Association (MTA) has launched its search for promising athletes who could represent the state in triathlon.
Triathlon, a recognised discipline at both the Olympic Games and the National Games, combines three endurance sports – swimming, cycling and running, which must be completed successively in that order. Distances vary depending on the competition format. In the last National Games, the triathlon event comprised of 750 metres of swimming, 20 kilometres of cycling and 5 kilometres of running.
The newly formed association is headed by Rephica Pde, a renowned ultra-runner who has participated in some of the country’s most demanding endurance races, including the Khardungla Challenge, Ladakh Marathon and Tawang Marathon, among several others. The association also includes athletes and sports enthusiasts from diverse sporting backgrounds.
As part of its talent identification programme, the MTA conducted a 400-metre swimming trial on Saturday at the ‘4 For All’ arena in Diengiong. The event attracted more than 30 participants eager to test their abilities in the sport’s opening discipline.
Following the swimming assessment, cycling and running trials were organised on Monday in the New Shillong area, covering distances of 20 kilometres and 5 kilometres, respectively. Most of the athletes who took part in the swimming trial also participated in the subsequent endurance tests.
Speaking on the initiative, MTA President Rephica Pde described the trials as the first step in a long-term effort to develop competitive triathletes in Meghalaya. She said the association plans to organise more trials and training opportunities in the coming months.
MTA plans to field a strong contingent of triathletes at the National Games 2027, which Meghalaya will host next year.
