" As a 2009 participant of the Laguna Phuket Triathlon, I would like to say "Thank you" to the people of Phuket.

It was a remarkable triathlon. But the most remarkable part about it was not the organizers, the kind sponsors, not even the participants. It was the local people welcoming us with warm smiles, lining the roads for miles and miles, and hours and hours to cheer us on that made this triathlon different and memorable. No sponsor or amount of preparation and planning can take the place of the support the local people showed us. 

Please forgive us for inconveniencing you by closing the roads for hours on race day and pre-view days. Please forgive us if we were too focused on the race to express our gratitude and thanks for coming out early and staying late in the hot sun to cheer us on. Trust me- we saw you, we heard you and we appreciate your kind patience and support.

Still sore but looking forward to seeing you all again next year. "

Warm thanks,
- J.Byrd
Tokyo, Japan/USA