Triathlons are one of the most gruelling challenges that amateur athletes are able to participate in, with hundreds of people every year looking to take on this impressive feat of human endurance.

Comprising of a 1.8 km swim, followed immediately by a 55 km bike ride and ending with a 12 km run, the race is not one for the faint-hearted.

However, few races take place in surroundings as stunning as those encountered during the Laguna Phuket Triathlon.

Racers staying in hotels in Phuket who want to come in a top ranking position will have to get into training soon, as last year's winner Massimo Gigana completed the race in two hours 30 minutes, taking three minutes off his winning time from the previous year.

Female race winner Radka Vodickova crossed the finish line in an equally impressive two hours 54 minutes.

Keen athletes staying in the Millennium Resort Patong Phuket who are planning to take part in the race should make sure they sign up well in advance of the start day, as last year more than 1,000 people applied to take part.

If the idea of racing sounds good to you but you are hardly up to the high fitness standards needed for the race, a six km fun run is also held on the same day.