For a bigger and better second outing, the beautiful island of Saint Lucia will stage the St Lucia International Triathlon on 22 November 2014.
As well as event ambassador and Double Gold Olympic champion Daley Thompson, the event is pleased to welcome Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies (silver medallist in Sydney) and World Champion, Olympian and BBC commentator Steve Cram who will join the team for the event this November.
Olympic swimmer from the Island, Jamie Peterkin, is part of the organising committee and all four Olympians will be holding master classes in the week leading up to the event. The organising team note that this is ‘a fantastic opportunity to rub shoulders with those that have performed at such a high level.’
Event director and former Olympic Competition Manager for the London 2012 Olympic triathlon in Hyde Park, John Lunt added, “We are delighted to welcome Steve and Sharron to the St Lucia Triathlon. I would like to personally thank Daley in making this happen. It’s great for the event and great for sport awareness on the island and I’m sure having them around will make a fabulous addition to the offering and the event on the 22nd.”
Daley Thompson commented “having Steve and Sharron there will undoubtedly raise the level of competition between all of us. I think the afternoon beach volleyball tournaments with be one to watch! The pre-breakfast master classes in both running and swimming will be held early each day on the golden sands of The Landings where the triathlon event will be held.”
The Saint Lucia Triathlon will be the culmination of a week-long festival of fun activities hosted by Tri St Lucia and these include a 2K ocean swim, an aquathlon (swim and run) and a beach run. Designed with all ages and fitness levels in mind, these activities will provide holidaymakers with a taste of the overall triathlon event, offering families, couples and single people the opportunity to take part.
The event, with a strong Pirate theme, has four separate competitive distances available. The course offers up a swim in the beautiful clear waters of Rodney Bay, then a tough hilly and a challenging bike ride and finally the run loop to Pigeon Island and back. Event distances include:
- The Dagger: 200m swim, 6.6K bike, 2.5K run
- The Pistol: 750m swim, 13.2K bike, 5K run
- The Cutlass: 1500m swim, 26.4K bike, 10K run
- The Musket: 2250m swim, 39.6K bike, 15K run
For the Children’s events (aged 8-12) there will be a 100m swim, an 800m bike and an 800m run as their challenge. Those aged 12-16 can do the aquathlon, 200m swim and 800m run.
As well as an array of event options, there will also be a number of island receptions including a pre-race party, a post event BBQ and party with prize giving on the beach. There is also a spectacular ocean boat trip to the Pitons on offer for all competitors and partners. Airport transfers and free bike carriage on the flights are also available.
The organisers note that this is ‘a magnificent opportunity to visit the Caribbean, do a race, mix with Olympians and have a great time.’
As a pre-Christmas travel period, November is off peak. Weekly, all inclusive food packages including flights from the UK and accommodation start at around £1,000. With two flights a day into Saint Lucia, and with so many options of travel and accommodation, the event is positioned as being easy for UK and international triathletes to book a package online.
