The town of St. George’s was host to the 23rd Annual International Spice Island Triathlon on May 2nd. This year, for the first time in Grenada, it was the stage for the Fifth Annual OECS Triathlon Championships as well as our first ever Inter-school Triathlon Championships.
A total of 144 athletes from 13 countries, including Grenada, registered to compete in one or more of the many events. Athletes were from the region, North America, Europe and even as far away as Asia. Full co-operation from all authorities and great weather meant the day ran very smoothly. Both locals and tourists alike lined the Carenage to watch the exciting events of the day.
Eleven events took place, each with multiple categories, giving a total of 199 prizes to be won including cash. There were junior triathlons of various distances for 5 different age groups, a 5km run, a bike race, an open water swim and 3 different adult triathlons. The Try-a-tri for beginners was a 400m swim, 10km bike and 2.5km run. Intermediate athletes raced in the Sprint triathlon which was double the distance whilst more experienced athletes raced the Olympic triathlon, which is double the distance again at a 1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run.
At the end of the day Grenada held three of the four OECS triathlon titles! With Clare Morrall winning the women’s Olympic distance title for the third time, Chris Regis in his first ever triathlon, winning the men’s Olympic distance title and Daniel Richardson, also in his first ever triathlon, winning the men’s Sprint distance title, we have proved that Grenada is a dominant force in triathlon.
A pilot program was initiated this year to further develop junior triathlon in Grenada, local businesses were invited to sponsor schools to participate. Eight schools were selected to compete at the inaugural Inter-school Triathlon Championships from various parts of the country. Westmorland School was the overall winner with 94 points.
The Caribbean Triathlon Championships are being held on the 29th May in Tobago. The Grenada Triathlon Association has selected a national team of six athletes to represent Grenada. Anyone wishing to support the national team as they race for gold are asked to contact the Association’s secretary Liz DeCaul on Tel: 415 1271 or Marc DeCaul on Tel: 534 2646 or send an email to: grenadatriathlon@spiceisle.com.
We would like to thank all our sponsors for their help as the event would not be possible without them, especially Digicel – sponsors of the Olympic distance Triathlon, our host hotel – True Blue Bay Resort, Monster Energy – sponsors of the Sprint distance Triathlon, The Grenada Board of Tourism, Insurance Consultants Ltd, Coca Cola, Deco Industries, Volkswagen, Grensure Fire and General Insurance, Vita malt and Westerhall Estates.