[Left to Right] Pedro Gomes, 2013 Men’s Winner, Guilherme Campos 2013 Mercuryman participant and Lesley Smith, 2013 Women’s Winner.
|
Determined athletes at
home and abroad are currently training hard for one of the most
exciting tests of athletic endurance taking place in the Cayman Islands
Sunday 18th January 2015, the 2015 Mercuryman half iron
distance triathlon, the only one of its kind in Cayman. Not only will
athletes participate in this highly regarded race of their athleticism,
proceeds raised from the triathlon will go to two important local
causes.
Top
names in the triathlon world will be competing against Cayman’s own
athletes in this incredibly gruelling event that will see participants
participate in a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike race and a 13.1 mile run.
In previous years, attendance has been extremely high with 150
participants including triathlete pros, American Lisa Ribes in 2014,
Pedro Gomes from Portugal and American Lesley Smith in 2013.
Organisers
expect to attract Lisa, Pedro (a now Ironman Champion) and Lesley back
to participate in 2015, as well as Canadian triathlete Angela Naeth, a
ten-time 70.3 Ironman Champion known for her prowess on the bike. Other
big names in the triathlon world looking to attend include Bree Wee 70.3
and Ironman champion from Hawaii, Leanda Cave, the 2012 Ironman
Triathlon and Ironman 70.3 World Champion, the first woman in the
history of the sport to win both titles in the same year, Kim
Schwabenbauer a triathlon coach and dietitian who has several podium
finishes in Ironman and has competed multiple times in the Ironman World
Champion, Canadian triathlete Jennifer Lentzke who is new to the
professional circuit has achieved multiple top 10 finishes in the 2014
season.
Mr Trevor Murphy, Race Director, said this year’s event is set to be huge.
“Mercuryman
triathlon has attracted some of the biggest names in the sport because
we offer an excellent location in which to participate,” he said.
“Triathletes can enjoy Cayman’s pleasant tropical climate, clear and
warm waters, good roads for cycling and running and an all-round
excellent destination which athletes and their families can enjoy during
their post-race vacation.”
The
2015 Mercuryman event is being dubbed ‘Race for a Cause’ because
organisers have pledged the bulk of the proceeds to be donated to the
Estella Scotts Roberts Foundation, along with a donation to East End
Primary School.
Mr Murphy said it was important for the event to give back to the community.
“The
2015 Mercuryman promises to be one of the sporting highlights of the
year for not only the Cayman Islands, but the Caribbean region, as well
as internationally, which means we are able to spotlight the ESRF to a
wide audience, an organisation that promotes gender equality and a life
free of violence, for all, an extremely worthwhile cause,” he said. “In
addition, the race will take place in East End of the Island, so we
couldn’t think of a better recipient of some of the proceeds than East
End Primary School, which has been a part of the event since its
inception. The children volunteer on the run course interacting with the
athletes and see first-hand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The
organisers also visit the school each year.”
The
swim course starts and ends on the beach by The Reef Resort on Grand
Cayman’s North East end, consisting of two laps of 0.6 miles each. The
bike course starts and ends at the transition area by The Reef Resort on
Grand Cayman’s North East end, and also consists of two laps – 28 miles
each. The run course starts and ends at the transition area in the
parking area by The Reef Resort.
Mr Murphy addressed the need for support from sponsors.
“Sponsors
are highly encouraged to get involved in this very visible, high
profile sporting event and valuable sponsorship opportunities are still
available for organisations both local and international, to partner
with one of the most unique and challenging endurance events on the
Cayman sports calendar,” he said. “Don’t miss your chance to promote and
grow sport in the Cayman Islands and at the same time help to raise
funds for organisations associated with children, gender equality and
education.”
