Jake's Off Road set for April 24

Jim Curl

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

This year's 15th staging of the Jake's Off Road Triathlon in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, has a change of day.

The event, which is usually held on a Sunday, will this year be hosted on Saturday to help facilitate a busy weekend of activities. The announcement was made at the event's official launch at Shakti Body Mind Fitness Gym, Upper Waterloo Road, St Andrew, on Thursday.

These activities will include partnerships with a number of the country's top gyms and sporting associations, and will begin on Friday, April 23 and end on Sunday, April 25.

"The exciting atmosphere alone will be enough to thrill the competitors, but knowing that all of their dedication and hard work contribute to a charitable cause adds to their feeling of accomplishment and success," said Jim Curl, the event's lead organiser.

The event will get going at 7 a.m. Saturday with a Sunset Resort's 5K run and the 'Gentle Triathlon Yoga Stretch' hosted by Shakti Mind Body Fitness gym.

The main event

This will then be followed by the main event, which will feature a 500m Ocean Swim in Great Bay, a 25K Mountain Bike course, and 7K Country Run.

After the triathlon, Kingston's In Motion Dance and Fitness Studio will offer 'Post-Race Cool Down and Stretch', and at midday, 8-14-year-olds will participate in a Likkle Jake's Kidz Triathlon.

Saturday evening will also cater to hardcore cyclists, who will compete in a 'Big Groun' Up and Down (a steep mile high hill climb and timed descent) race. A prize-giving and beach party will then conclude the day.

On Sunday, Afya's gym will hold a 'Morning After Yoga and Stretches', and the Jamaica Cycling Federation a 'Treasure Beach Bike Bash'.

Proceeds from the event will go to Breds, a non-profit organisation that promotes education, sports, cultural heritage and environmental awareness in Treasure Beach.

The triathlon will again be sponsored by Wisynco, through its brands Wata and Nature Valley, and, for the first time, Pan Caribbean Financial Services Limited, organisers of the annual Pan Caribbean Sigma Corporate Run.

Registration for the event is $1,500 for individuals, $4,500 relay and $12,000 corporate relay. Participants can register at Jake's, Shakti, Afya and In Motion gyms.