Someone once said ‘If at first you don’t succeed; try, try again’. At Saturday’s Pineappleman Sprint Triathlon, in Gregory Town, Eleuthera, competitors can do just that.
The annual triathlon, which began in the 1980s as part of the settlement’s Pineapple Festival, was revived in 2006; it requires athletes to attempt three different disciplines – a 500-meter swim, 16-kilometer cycle and 5-kilometer run. Try, try, and try again.
Word plays aside this year’s race, again comprised of a large group of young professionals from New Providence, Grand Bahama and a growing number of local Eleutheran and expatriate competitors, features five former champions – two in the Men’s and three in the Women’s Open divisions.
Back for the first time since setting a course record in 2011 is New Providence’s Simon Lowe. The 30-year-old is fresh off a win this March at Treasure Cay, Abaco’s Olympic Distance triathlon, part of the Greater Abaco Family Fitness Weekend.
“Training is going well at the moment. I’m healthy with no injuries. Just have to hope it stays that way for the next month,” Lowe emailed on May 8.
According to the Pineappleman Sprint Triathlon page on Facebook, Lowe is still healthy, using the Paradise Island Bridge to train for Eleuthera’s hills and ready to face challenges from a field that includes 2012 champ Cameron Roach, one of only a handful of people to break the one-hour mark on the sprint distance course.
Roach, 35, is head pilot at Golden Wings Charter, one of the Pineappleman’s burgeoning list of supporting businesses, that includes featured sponsors Think Simple, Rainbow Inn, Island Made Gift Shop, Sands Beer, and Pineapple Fields Resort as well as The Eleutheran newspaper, Laughing Lizard Cafe, Bahamas Wholesale Agencies, Island Touch Massage, Daddy Joe’s, The Cove, and others.
But serious race talk aside, the event is all about having some fun, giving people a reason to stay fit, and supporting the Pineapple Festival and Zion Children’s Home of Current Island.
Race director Tom Glucksmann, hopes to see increased participation from Eleuthera residents – native and expatriate.
“It’s an Olympic sport,” said Glucksmann, a 1995 Pan Am Games swimmer for the Bahamas and race organizer since 2006. “Now we’re not a country known for our endurance athletes, but I think we’re knocking on the door a little bit in track and field and the environment we have to train in should lead to eventually qualifying a Bahamian [triathlete] for the Olympics. Most triathlons boil down to the run leg too.”
Five races now fill the country’s triathlon calendar, three brand new in the last three years; Grand Bahama’s Conchman remains the mainstay, turning 28 this year.
Speaking of which – 2013 women’s champ Vicki Stafford, 46, will again make the trek originating from Grand Bahama International, to defend her title. Among the challengers are 2010 champ Joanne McGovern, a Harbour Island resident and Lori Roach, part of a husband-wife sweep in 2012.
The Jr. Pie– or Junior Pineappleman – will see competitors attempt a 100-meter swim, 800-meter run duathlon. Prizes for the Jr. Pie include watches courtesy of Golden Wings Charter and spots in Bahamas Out Island Adventures Ninth Annual Surf Camp. The top three finishers in all divisions, including Relay, Fat Tyre, Fastest First Timer, Most Jalopy Bike and Top Local Finisher, will win prizes.
Among the many prizes to be awarded Saturday are a 3-night stay at Pineapple Fields, ipad Mini courtesy of Think Simple, a 1-night stay, seafood platter and wine at Rainbow Inn, Sands Beer cases, cash courtesy of Island Made Gift Shop and a one-hour Island Touch Massage.
Competitors may register up until and on race day. Please contact Glucksmann at 335-0349 and 551-9635. Or register here http://www.active.com/gregory-town/triathlon/races/pineappleman-sprint-triathlon-a-pineapple-festival-event-2014?int=
Check in begins 7.45 a.m. Saturday on the Gregory Town waterfront. Jr. Pie check in is 10 a.m. Local band Seaweed performs live at 10.30 a.m. The Zion Children’s Home will hold a bake sale throughout the morning. The Hon. Theo Neilly (North Eleuthera MP) presents awards at 11 a.m.
Mention the word CAMBAHAMAS for a $10 discount when registering.