Local triathletes are in serious training for the annual Cayman Islands Triathlon in a couple of months, and anyone wanting to test the course gets a second opportunity in a build-up mini-triathlon this weekend.
The first of the three triathlon build-ups was two weeks ago. This Sunday is another build-up, starting and finishing at Public Beach, in preparation for the big event on Nov. 2. The last build-up session is on Oct. 12.
The Cayman Islands Triathlon is one of the most popular sporting events locally, and with the increase in participation in recent years, organizers expect another big turnout.
Marius Acker is the perennial champion, but the next generation of triathletes have been improving significantly in recent months so he will be hard pushed to retain his title.
The build-up event starts at 6.45 a.m., with triathletes expected to set up their equipment in the transition area 15 minutes beforehand and be at the beach by 6:40 a.m. for a safety and course briefing.
This build-up is around 50 percent of the race day distance, so those doing the Olympic-distance race will swim 750 meters, cycle 12 miles and run 3 miles. Those doing the sprint event will swim for 375m, cycle 6 miles and run 1.5 miles this weekend.
For the training session next month, Olympic-distance entrants will complete around 75 percent of the race day distance, which entails a swim of 1100m, cycle 18 miles and run 4.5 miles. Sprint athletes will do half those distances.
For this weekend’s event, there is minimal support and no time-keeping other than entrants’ own time pieces. There will be no Red Cross for first aid, nor traffic police or bike technicians.
The organizers will provide water for bottle refills, but there will not be any other hydration or food provided. Bike racks will be provided.
While the training series serves as an ideal training ground for athletes preparing for Cayman’s flagship annual triathlon event, the series is also open to any individual or team.
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