Mondon a favourite for Escape Triathlon

An attractive list of entries has been received for tomorrow's Escape Triathlon, lifting expectations for a notable north coast battle on the women's side in particular. Atop the entry list is Elisabeth Mondon, the France-born triathlete who won the women's section in 2019.

Mondon will be favoured for the 600-metre swim/20km cycle/5km combination event.

"She is a seasoned triathlete and she is one of the favourites as well. So she will be looking to see if she can repeat," said organiser Frantz McKnight, as he finalised arrangements for the Escape Triathlon, which is set for a return after an absence from the calendar last year.

Mondon's prowess as a runner will mean rivals, who may well include 2018 Commonwealth Games representative Llori Sharpe, will have to stay close during the swim and the bicycle segments. Mondon clocked 21 minutes 28 seconds to win the 2019 Sagicor SIGMA Corporate 5K Run in New Kingston.

Sharpe, a standout distance runner a few years ago for St Andrew High School, covered her Commonwealth Games 5000-metre segment in 22 minutes, 06 seconds, and finished 22nd overall.

The top male entrant for this all-adult event is Lance Rochester, winner of the 2015 National Triathlon and 2018 National Sprint Triathlon.

McKnight was pleased with the response by the athletes.

"There hasn't been any activity this year for triathlon or many events, so we've had really good pickup, especially in this week because you know, a lot of folks wait until the appointed time. So we had our first event, 2019, and we've surpassed that level of participation," he noted.

He is expecting between 20 and 30 athletes competing this weekend on the scenic north coast course.

"We're going to start out in the Sunset Bay, which is right by White River, where Couples San Souci is, and we will be doing the transition in Couples Resort. They will then get on their bikes, ride from Couples San Souci to the Ian Fleming Airport and back. And after they dismount their bikes back in Couples San Souci, they will run towards Tower Isle, for 2.5 kilometres, and head back to complete a 5k run," he explained.

The event will follow the required COVID-19 protocols, with athletes only allowed to remove their masks while they compete.

The Escape Triathlon, which will serve as a tune-up for the National Championships, is being supported by Couples San Souci, Cream of Nature Hair Products, Island Lifestyle, Hi-Lite, True and Natural Soup, St. Mary's Banana Chips, Heart of Jamaica Spring Water, Vineyard Town Premium Blend and Mount Pleasant Chocolates, and has partnerships with the Discovery Bay Marine Lab and Save The Seas Ja.

– Hubert Lawrence

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