It’s time to dust off those running shoes, pull out the swim cap and grease up that bike chain, the St. John Landsharks are hosting the 14th Annual Love City Triathlon and Aquathon on Sunday morning, September 1, at Maho Bay.
The race kicks off and ends at Maho with all transition areas at the beach as well. Triathlon competitors will spend the morning swimming a half-mile, pedaling for 14 miles and wrapping up the morning’s effort with a four-mile run.
Aquathoners will complete the half-mile swim and, instead of running a 5K distance as in years past, will run a full four miles this year just like the triathlon competitors.
The fun kicks off at 7 a.m. with triathletes diving in the water at Maho Bay first. The swim portion is a three-buoy, quarter-mile lap which participants will complete twice for the half-mile swim.
After the swim, triathletes will jump onto their bikes and pedal off to Cruz Bay on North Shore Road. In Cruz Bay, the bikers will head up to the turn-around and ride up Centerline Road to the Colombo Yogurt Stand, where they’ll head back down North Shore Road to end the 14 mile course at Maho Bay.
The final leg of the race is a four-mile run. Competitors will start at Maho, run to Francis Bay, turn around and head up the stairs to Annaberg Sugar Mill before turning back for Maho Bay.
Once all triathletes are on their bikes heading to Cruz Bay, aquathoners will take to the water at Maho. The swim course and run course for aquathoners is the same as for the triathletes and will begin and end at Maho as well.
Triathlon competitors can complete all three legs individually or form a relay team with one or two athletes and each complete one or two legs. Aquathoners must complete both the swim and run portions of the event.
The Love City Triathlon and Aquathon also offers an inter-island competition which is open to all residents of the Caribbean. Each three-member mixed gender team must compete in the triathlon as individuals.
The top three combined times is the winner and will have their island’s name mounted on a trophy to be displayed in the establishment of a sponsor. The trophy has been traded back and forth between St. John, St. Croix, and St. Maarten, with St. Croix so far having the most wins.
While the number of registered competitors was low as of press time — due in part to the lack of accommodations for off-island athletes accustomed to staying at the now closed Maho Bay Campground, according to St. John Landsharks officials — the field is full of talent.
Last year’s male triathlon winner Brent Lynn will be back to defend his winning time of 1:55:57. On the women’s side, 2012’s triathlon winner St. Croix’s Teresa Harper will be back to defend her winning time of 1:59:09
It’s not too late to join the fun. Registration is $40 for individuals for both events and $35 for a triathlon relay team member. The registration fee includes a race T-shirt, finisher’s award, support on the course, and a beach picnic at Maho Bay after the event.
Registration is available online at www.stjohnlandsharks.com or pick up a form at the Tap Room in Mongoose Junction.
The last day to register is Saturday evening, August 31, at the mandatory meeting at the Tap Room from 4 to 5:30 p.m. All participants are required to check in at this race briefing to receive their race numbers, T-shirts and course instructions.
For more information about the 14th Annual Love City Triathlon and Aquathon go to www.stjohnlandsharks.com.