Lace up your running shoes, pump up your bicycle tires and get out your bathing suits. The 11th annual Love City Triathlon and Aquathon is scheduled for Sept. 6.
The event kicks off at 7 a.m. at Maho Bay Beach and ends at the Annaberg Plantation parking lot.
Last year, James Weekes of Nevis won top honors for the men and Theresa Harper of St. Croix was first across the finish for the women. A total of 97 people crossed the finish line.
Jude Woodcock of the organizing committee said she hasn’t heard from Weekes this year, so she doesn’t think he’s coming.
"But there are a lot of new faces from St. Thomas and I expect quite a contingent from St. Croix," she said.
One reason for the increased local participation is that the territory’s Triathlon Federation is active again. Woodcock said that the Love City Triathlon is the first in a series where registered Triathlon Federation members get points.
The Triathlon includes a half-mile swim, a 14-mile bicycle ride and a four-mile run.
The Aquathon consists of a half-mile swim and 3.4 mile run.
Participants in the Triathlon can do all three legs competing as an individual or form a relay team with one or two other participants and each compete in one or two legs.
However, participants cannot compete as an individual and be a member of a relay team as well and they cannot be a member of more than one relay team.
The number of participants for the Triathlon, relay and Aquathon is capped at 110 people. Woodcock said that beyond that number safety becomes a factor because the area where the race ends is small.
"The whole area over there is a little tight," she said.
There is no registration the morning of the race. The last chance to register is at Maho Bay Campground’s Pavilion Restaurant, if space is still available. Registration is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 5, the afternoon before the event. This time slot is just before the mandatory pre-race meeting, which starts at 5:30 p.m. at the restaurant.
Registration runs $35 for individual triathletes and Aquathon participants and $30 per person for those participating in the relay. The registration fee includes T-shirt, goody bag and a beach picnic after the race.
For those registering online, fees can be paid the night before at the pre-race meeting at Maho Bay Camps.
Registration forms are available at The Tap Room on St. John, at the Caribbean Surf Co. on St. Thomas and Stamina Sports on St. Croix.
Registered participants are eligible for complimentary night stay at Maho Bay Camps tent cottages on Sept. 5, the night before the event. Participants from the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean areas receive a 50-percent discount on additional nights. Reservations can be made by calling Maho Bay Camps directly at 715-0500 or 800-392-9004. Mention that you are participating in the Triathlon. The deadline to take advantage of this offer is Sept. 3. For more information about Maho, visit www.maho.org.
Further information on the Triathlon can be obtained by sending e-mail to Louise Wearmouth at louise@surfbvi.com or Woodcock at woodjudecock@hotmail.com, or by calling 779-1416.
Further information on the Aquathon can be obtained by sending e-mail to Jane Thilljandathill@gmail.com or calling her at 514-6611.
