TWO triathletes will have some extra motivation to complete the Busselton Ironman as they are planning to officially become husband wife during the event.
Kingsley Bugarin and Arsiyanti Ardie will run down the aisle, literally, on Sunday and marry during the run leg in a world first.
"Our motivation for the course will be we have to get there for the wedding," Ms Ardie said.
Dozens of wedding proposals have been made during Ironman events worldwide but this is the first time anyone has attempted to marry on the course.
Ms Ardie said the pair had unusual commitment ceremonies and celebrations in Jakarta and at Sungailiat Triathlon in Indonesia.
“We wanted our legal marriage to take place in a unique way that would bring attention to our causes,” she said.
Mr Bugarin is a WA paralympian and Order of Australia Medalist and Ms Ardie is Indonesia’s first female Ironman.
Sunsmart Ironman WA 2014 will be Mr Bugarin’s first triathlon at this distance.
Mr Bugarin said when they run into each other on the course they will step to the side for three minutes where a local celebrant will officially marry them in front of family and friends.
They will then continue their races and meet up again at the finish line.
“A lot of work has gone into the timing and tracking so hopefully it will go well,” he said.
The active couple met at the 2013 Bali Ocean Swim on Kuta Beach upon completion of the 10km swim.
They got to know each other and fell in love soon after during the Bali Para Games, where Mr Bugarin, who is blind, was the Games Ambassador as a five time Paralympian with multiple gold medals and world records.
Ms Ardie coaches paratriathletes, and both are board members of the Bali Sports Foundation which brings sport to disabled and disadvantaged Indonesians.
“Ironman is an incredible challenge as well as promotion for the sport of triathlon and its constituent sports, and many athletes raise awareness and contributions for community-building endeavors through it,” she said.
Mr Bugarin is an IT consultant and Ms Ardie is a prawn farmer and sportswriter and both have a strong passions for each other as well as for sport and service.
They plan to celebrate their honeymoon in February on Rottnest Island after doing the 19.7km Rottnest Channel swim as solo entrants.
