The Ibis Koh Samui Trophy brings the spectacular and fast-growing sport of Adventure Racing to the south of Thailand.

Supported by Ibis, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Tourism Association of Koh Samui and the Thai Hotel Association of Koh Samui, the inaugural Adventure Race is set to attract 150 teams from around the world, according to the organizer.

As part of the Amazing Thailand Adventure Race Series, the race will start and finish from the magnificent Bohput beach in front of the IBIS hotel in Bohput.

Adventure Racing is a highly visual and dynamic sport genre, stretching competitors to their limits. It is a sport that is rapidly capturing the imagination of people in Thailand and around the world.

“After the tremendous success of the other races of the Series in Kanchanaburi, Nong Chok [on the outskirts of Bangkok] and Chiang Mai, it was important to have a competition in the south” said Serge Henkens, the race director and managing director of Active Management Asia.

The sponsor says 20% of the income generated will go to environmentally-friendly initiatives delivered by the Green Island Project, a local environmental group.

“Despite 10 years of unbelievable development, we wanted to show that the island has a lot to offer and is still a paradise destination,” Henkens says. “Well-known for its magnificent beaches, Samui also offers fantastic opportunities for adventure and lovers of the great outdoor. The island has all the ingredients for a memorable race: the ocean, forests, mountains, water falls, sandy beaches and a very rich fauna and flora. The perfect recipe for great Adventure Racing,” according to Henkens.

The Koh Samui Trophy will offer four disciplines: running, cycling, kayaking and swimming.

The competitors will hike and run through unspoiled jungle, paddle and swim in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand and cycle over the hills with spectacular views of the ocean.

“As we offer two divisions, Adventure [an easier course] and Extreme [longer course], the race is really accessible to everyone,” says Henkens.

The winners of the extreme division are expected to complete the course in approximately 4 hours 30 minutes. The fastest team in the Adventure division is expected to finish in about 3 hours 30 minutes.

The Race offers two divisions:

* Adventure (Short course for newcomers and 'weekend warriors')

* Extreme (Long course for confirmed athletes and experienced racers)

Disciplines: Running, kayaking, biking, swimming and other 'mystery tests'.

Teams of two racers will be participate and the various categories include: men's, women's, mixed, masters' men (over 80 years old combined) and senior men (aged over 100 combined).

For further information, visit http://www.kohsamuitrophy.com.

Over the past six years, the Thailand Open has grown from strength to strength, allowing Bangkok residents the chance to see many of the world’s top players compete in the Thai capital.

This year the PTT Group, loyal sponsors of the event since 2003, has increased its sponsorship and from 2009 the tournament will officially be known as the PTT Thailand Open. To help commemorate the occasion the organizers welcome one of the world’s foremost players - Rafael Nadal - to the event for the first time. Meanwhile, French ace Jo-Wilfried Tsong will be aiming to defend his crown, after winning his first ATP title in Bangkok last year.

Operators of beauty parlors, spas, wellness centers, healthcare providers and interested parties in the medical and health sectors, among others, will deliver the latest news and views from the world of health and beauty, while displaying innovatice breakthroughs in products and services.