It will take more than a category 4 hurricane to knock out Grand Bahama’s biggest multi-discipline sporting event, particularly during an anniversary year.

Hurricane Matthew may have devastated much of the island, but the Grand Bahama Port Authority Conchman Triathlon will still celebrate its 30th annual event on November 5, 2016.

The race will begin and end at Taino Beach and competitors will be able to choose between Olympic and Sprint distances. The difference between the two is that runners may have to travel a bit further to the Transition Area. There will also be special sub-competitions for local company teams, as well as high school teams.

At lunchtime the Iron Kids event will take place, followed by the awards ceremony. A series of special events is also scheduled to take place later that day once all other athletic events are completed. The event will close out with a junkanoo beach party and fireworks at sunset.“

Triathletes are noted for their dogged determination and even a massive hurricane was not going to stop us celebrating this important milestone in the Conchman’s history,” Conchman Chairman Christopher Baker said.“

We are hoping that competitors from home and abroad will flock to the event in record numbers to show their loyalty and support, but also to reflect the huge wave of community spirit which has marked Grand Bahama since the storm passed.”

Baker and the GBPA Conchman team have been working diligently to get everything ready for this year’s event, despite many people having to repair their homes. He believes it is important for Grand Bahama to experience some form of normalcy as soon as possible.

“I hope that many of you overseas triathletes, who have registered, will still plan on coming to compete. Power and water have been restored to the Lucaya area and I will give updates to the situation with all the hotels listed on our website where people can stay,” said Baker.

He encourages all triathletes to remain focused, continue to prepare and if they haven’t done so already, go online and register www.conchmantriathlon.com.

GBPA Conchman Triathlon still on for November 5