The theme of increasing female triathlon participation continues in Mexico, as the fourth edition of the Xel-Ha Triathlon gets under way, with Standard and Sprint races on Saturday 17 November and Sunday 18 November.
Due to the success of previous editions of the event, a brand new category is making its debut this year: ‘Women Beginners’, with the purpose of supporting and guiding women who have the dream of participating in a triathlon and want to learn the basics to get started in this addictive sport!
In recognition of the event’s popularity in previous years and the specific targeting of female athletes in 2012, this year, the Xel-Ha Triathlon filled in record time.
The Standard (Olympic distance) Triathlon takes place on Saturday 17 November with a prize money purse of over Pesos 100,000 for the Elite category; while the Sprint, Children and ‘Women Beginners’ categories will take place on Sunday 18 November.
For the Standard and Sprint categories, the prize money purse is Pesos 30,000 and the minimum age for participants in the kids race is nine.
Categories:
- 17 November: 12 categories by age, 1 Relay and 2 Elite
- 18 November: 3 Children, 1 Women Beginners, 10 Sprint and 1 Relay
As an archaeological site of the Maya civilization, Xel-Ha is located on the eastern coastline of the Yucatán Peninsula in the present-day state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Triathlon as a Green Sport
Xel-Ha’s mission is to be a sustainable tourism area and a model of social responsibility. For the second year in a row it has joined the Mexican Triathlon Federation (FMTRI) initiative to promote ‘Triathlon as a Green Sport’, with the aim to raise community awareness about the proper use of resources with a sustainable vision.
This year’s actions are:
- Reducing the use of printed materials; replacing them with an increased use of electronic communication
- Collection of swimming caps post-race to donate them to local schools
- Integration of the community (volunteers) in organizing the event and promoting good environmental practices and sport among young people
- Rehabilitation of roads, with cleaning and collection of more than 20 tons of waste
- As it happens every year, Xel-Ha will donate 100% of the registration fee to the Sea Turtle Conservation Program headed by Flora, Fauna y Cultura de México
