Conchman committee prepares for 2017

After successfully staging the 30th Annual GBPA Conchman Triathlon a mere four weeks after the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew in October, the Conchman committee and title sponsor, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, are already preparing for a spectacular event in 2017.

As the triathlon is held yearly on the first Saturday in November, this year’s event will take place on November 4 and will feature a number of segments that made their debut last year.“

The Corporate Challenge Cup (CCC) and the Secondary Schools Competition (SSC) were very popular additions to the 2016 competition," said Conchman Committee Chairman Christopher Baker. "We had nine companies take part in the CCC and 16 teams from five schools participated in the SSC. The students were all very enthusiastic and the teachers have told me that they will be back this year with more teams."

The incorporation of an Olympic distance event – 1500m swim, 40K bike, 10K run – was also well-received last year, but due to the shortage of hotel rooms at the time, many of the Florida-based athletes who registered could not attend.

"I have written to each of them and they have all confirmed that they will take part this year," Mr. Baker explained.In total, just over 100 participants took part in the 2016 triathlon, including several Florida residents and about nine athletes from Nassau. An especially popular addition to last year’s event was hosting the awards presentation and after-party on Taino Beach immediately following the triathlon and Iron Kids races.

Colourful medals and the traditional hand-blown glass trophies were awarded to the various winners in the individual and team categories. The presentation was followed by a lively Junkanoo performance.

Electronic chip timing, provided by P.R.O.M.P.T. out of Nassau, enabled athletes to know their placement shortly after they crossed the finish line, thus contributing to the festive party atmosphere on the beach.Participants can expect this to continue moving forward.Conchman purists will appreciate that the 2017 bike course will once again go over the Casuarina Bridge and to the first circle for a distance of 25K as it used to do.

“Crossing over the Grand Lucayan Waterway is a feature unique to Grand Bahama and many people commented that they missed the challenge of the bridge when we shortened the bike course last year,” Mr. Baker revealed. “So they will be happy to know we have reinstated that segment.”Online and in-person registration will open shortly. Complete information on the race as well as travel information for visitors is available on the website www.ConchmanTriathlon.com or on Facebook.