Antigua Observer Link
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua & Barbuda will soon have yet another sporting event targeting national athletes, regional athletes and possibly, athletes from international destinations.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua & Barbuda will soon have yet another sporting event targeting national athletes, regional athletes and possibly, athletes from international destinations.
This is according to national tri-athletes, Rory Butler and Andre Simon whom, through their Wadadli Triathlon Club, will be hosting the first of what they are hoping will become an annual event, The Wadadli Tin Man, slated for January 29, 2012.
The event, according to Butler, will cover half the distance used by the world famous Iron Man race and will put participants through a gruelling test of their physical and mental ability.
“The Iron Man is probably one of the toughest physical challenges in the world and it is basically one of the strongest triathlons you can find. We are attempting to do a half Iron Man distance event here which is a swim (1.2 miles), cycle (56 miles) and run (13.1 miles) or a half marathon which takes somewhere between four to eight hours,” he said.
Having attracted athletes and visitors in excess of 3,000 on an annual basis, the Iron Man is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organised by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a marathon, raced in that order and without a break.
According to Butler, however, Wadadli Triathlon Club is not seeking to host an event of that magnitude just yet. He said they would be hosting regional athletes.
“We are not looking to do it on that scale as yet. It is something potentially we can grow it to that scale where it becomes a big boost to the economy down here but right now we are looking to put on something more on a national scale,” he said.
“We are actually planning to just do it nationally but we have already had requests from St Kitts, Nevis, St Martin, Grenada and a few other countries asking if they can come and be part of this so we are now actually doing this as a regional event.”
Asked why they decided to put on such an event, Butler said it is their way of, firstly, providing quality competition for tri-athletes both here and across the region while, secondly, easing the burden on the triathlon association here.
“As athletes, we said this is something that we want to do and there are so many reasons for doing this like sporting wise, for the economy, and we wanted to put on one event that will take some pressure off the association and it gives the association a chance to focus on other priorities. The association can’t do it all.”
The event will also incorporate a Sandman Challenge, which is geared towards attracting the non-traditional athletes and will target businesses and other organisations.
Simon explained that it would be less intimidating than tackling the Tin Man.
“The Sandman part of it is a team challenge or a corporate challenge so we are actually looking at OBSERVER Media Group, looking to target Extreme Fitness, and a couple of other companies and what they would do is put together three-member teams and the first person can either do a 1,000 metre swim or 2,000 metre kayak and the second person will use a mountain bike only for a 45km bike ride. The last person will finish off with a 10km hike,” he said.
“We are actually trying to do something a little different than the regular swim, bike, run and look to target the corporate community,” Simon added.
Wadadli Triathlon Club has already secured sponsorship commitment from OBSERVER Media Group, Adventure Antigua, and Extreme Health & Fitness Centre, while they are currently in talks with the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Tourism.
