Triathlon to boost sports tourism

(CNS): With sports tourism one of the big hopes to develop the overnight guest market on Grand Cayman the forth coming   2013 Arch & Godfrey Cayman Islands Triathlon is much more than just a hard race. Set for 3 November the gruelling sports challenge is one of the Islands' premier sporting events which attracts a strong field of international competitors as well as locals, keen amateurs and spectators. More than 200 athletes are expected to sign up this year from home and abroad and registration is now open. There are several categories including the Olympic distance — 1500m Swim, 40k Bike, 10k Run  as well as the shorter Sprint distance 750m Swim, 20k Bike, 5k Run.

The first 200 athletes registered will receive athlete bags and goodies including race shirt, bag, race belt, water bottle.  Ahead of the main event, an optional training series is being held this month and next to help racers get in shape.

The triathlon starts at the public beach on Seven Mile with the swim, followed by the bike ride to West Bay and the foot race will be held along the West Bay Road

The 2012 Cayman Islands Triathlon saw Marius Acker finish the Olympic distance in 2:09:32, successfully defending and shaving 5 seconds off his 2011 Olympic distance title. Arwen Lawson meanwhile was first female finisher in 2:35:18. In the Sprint distance, Darren Mew took the title with a time of 1:12:59 and first female finisher was Gill Comins with 1:17:28. First team to finish was tRICS in a time 2:05:51.

The official race guide is expected to be on the website shortly at www.triathlon.ky