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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesIronman Triathlon Set this Weekend on St. Croix

Ironman Triathlon Set this Weekend on St. Croix

Downtown Christiansted is ramping up to host the 25th annual St. Croix Ironman on Sunday morning. Preparations for the triathlon that has become the island’s marquee sporting event are all but complete, and many athletes have already arrived.

The 70.3-mile race will begin at Hotel on the Cay where athletes will begin a 1.2-mile swim around Christiansted harbor. Athletes will then take a looping 56-mile bike tour from Cramers Park in the east to Cane Bay in the west. The racers will then complete a 13.1-mile run between downtown Christiansted and the Buccaneer Hotel.

Race organizer Tom Guthrie says the triathlon will feature a strong field this year, despite the absence of Lance Armstrong whose participation in the 2012 event caused a major splash in the territory.

Armstrong, who admitted to widespread doping during career in cycling, is banned from competing professionally in a range of sports, including Ironman triathlons.

One athlete of special interest this year is Canadian Angela Naeth, who is looking to repeat her 2012 victory. Naeth dominated the women’s field despite having to finish the last several miles of the bike race with a flat tire.

The St. Croix Ironman Triathlon always draws a strong crowd of competitors because of its reputation as a beautiful course and its status as a qualifying event for the Ironman world championship races.

The St. Croix race can qualify up to 30 athletes to compete in the full 140.6-mile Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in October, and up to 40 athletes for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Henderson, Nev., in September.

Guthrie said that, in terms of beauty, the course should live up to its reputation this year. The St. Croix Environmental Association led an effort last weekend to clean the roadside of the entire race course and crews have cut back the bush on either side of the road as well.

As for the road itself, Guthrie says it isn’t bad. “This year we’re in very good shape. Public Works has been out patching. I’m very pleased,” he said.

Residents of Christiansted will have many chances to spot the athletes ahead of the race in the next few days. Training swims will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday in the harbor. Several restaurants will also host a “carbo party” during Jump Up Friday to give athletes a chance to pack away some pre-race pasta.

The race begins at 6:30 a.m. Sunday and Guthrie says the best place to watch the race will be in Christiansted at the transition area near the fort.

Motorists should expect road closures and detours Sunday morning. For a map of the racecourse, visit www.stcroixtriathlon.com.

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