Mass participation sporting events are increasing in popularity, with more and more people not just partaking in local events but traveling to another city or country to take part bringing supporters with them for a racecation/vacation. Running events lead the way with over 500 marathons being held across the globe each year. In the Caribbean, there are currently 25 major marathons and half marathons with the majority achieving phenomenal growth each year in race participants.
Another mass participation sporting event gaining in popularity is triathlons: a multi-sport race involving swimming, biking and running. Introduced as an Olympic sport during the Syndey 2000 Games, it is one of the fastest growing sports at the professional but also amateur level. Triathlons are extremely appealing to those with a more competitive streak who like multisport races and really want to push themselves for the ultimate mind and body experience while on vacation.
Highlighted below are 27 of the major Caribbean triathlons across 21 destinations that are increasing attracting a more international audience. Listed by the month in which the races are typically held, many of the triathlons go for the full Olympic distance with a 1.5km (0.93 miles) swim, a 40km (25 miles) bike ride, and a 10km (6.2 miles) run or beyond (think ironman!). Many of the Caribbean triathlons also have shorter sprint and kids races for those just getting started.
JANUARY
1. Saba Hell’s Gate Triathlon
Location: Saba
Race(s): | Sprint | Relay |
Distance(s): Swim: 800me, Bike: 7km, Run: 5km
2. Mercuryman Triathlon
Location: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Races (s): | Olympic | Relay |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.2miles, Bike: 56miles, Run: 13.1miles
FEBRUARY
3. Triatlón de La Habana
Location: La Habana, Cuba
Race(s): | Long Distance | Middle Distance | Sprint |
Distance(s): Swim: 3.8km, Bike: 180km, Run: 42.2km / Swim: 1.9km, Bike: 90km, Run: 21.1km/Swim: 750me, Bike : 20km, Run: 5km
MARCH
4. Red Bull BVI X-Tri
Location: Belmont, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Race(s): | Sprint |
Distance(s): Swim: 600me, Bike: 4miles, Run: 2miles
5. Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend Triathlon
Location: Treasure Cay, Great Abaco, Bahamas
Race(s): | Olympic | Sprint | Relay |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.5km Bike: 40km Run: 10km / Swim: 500me Bike: 20km Run: 5km
6. Ligue de triathlon de Guadeloupe
Location: Saint Frances, Guadeloupe
Race(s): | Olympic | Sprint | Relay |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.5km Bike: 40km Run: 10km / Swim: 500me Bike: 20km Run: 5km
7. Ironman 70.3 Puerto Rico
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Race(s): | Ironman
Distance(s): Swim: 1.9km, Bike: 90km, Run: 21km
APRIL
8. Antigua Tinman Rohr Triathlon
Location: Antigua & Barbuda
Race(s): | Olympic | Sprint |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.5km, Bike: 40km, Run: 10km / Swim: 750me, Bike: 20km, Run: 5km
9.Tri de Spice – Grenada International Triathlon
Location: St. Georges, Grenada
Race(s): | Olympic | Sprint | Kids |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.5km, Bike: 40km, Run:10km / Swim: 750me, Bike: 20km, Run: 5km / Swim: 300me, Bike: 5km, Run: 1.6km
10. Jake’s Off-Road Triathlon
Location: Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica
Race(s): | Off-Road |
Distance(s): Swim: 500me, Bike: 25km MTB, Run: 7km
MAY
11. Curacao International Triathlon
Location: Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
Race(s): | Olympic | Relay |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.5km, Bike: 40km, Run: 10km
12. Captain Morgan Ironman 70.3 St Croix
Location: St Croix, United States Virgin Islands
Race(s): | Ironman
Distance(s): Swim: 2km, Bike: 90km, Run: 21km
JUNE
13. Aruba International Triathlon
Location: Palm Beach, Aruba
Race(s): | Olympic | Sprint | Relay |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.5km, Bike: 40km Run: 10km / Swim: 750me Bike: 20km Run: 5km
14. Pineappleman Sprint Triathlon
Location: Eleuthera, Bahamas
Race(s): Sprint |
Distance(s): Swim: 500me, Bike: 16km, Run: 5km
15. Rainbow Cup International Triathlon
Location: Black Rock, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago
Race(s): | Olympic | Sprint | Kids |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.5km, Bike: 40km, Run: 10km / Swim: 750me, Bike: 20km, Run: 5km / Swim: 200me, B: 12.5km, Run: 3km /
JULY/AUGUST
no major Caribbean triathlons
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SEPTEMBER
16. Bank of Bermuda Foundation Triathlon
Location: Hamilton, Bermuda
Race(s): | Sprint |
Distance(s): Swim: 1/2mi Bike: 12mi Run: 3mi
17. LionMan Triathlon
Location: Belize City, Belize
Race(s): | Olympic | Relay |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.5km, Bike: 40km, Run: 10km
18. Love City Triathlon, Aquathlon & SUPathlon
Location: St John, United States Virgin Islands
Race (s): | Sprint
Distance(s): Swim: .5 miles, Bike: 14 miles, Run: 4.15miles
19. The Potcakeman Triathlon
Location: Jaws Beach, Nassau, Bahamas
Race(s): | Sprint | Relay | Kids
Distance(s): Swim: 750m, Bike: 21km, Run 5km / Swim: 200m Bike: 5km /Run: 2km
OCTOBER
20. Barbados National Triathlon
Location: Bridgetown, Barbados
Race(s): | Olympic | Sprint |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.5km, Bike: 40km, Run: 10km / Swim: 750me, Bike: 20km, Run: 5km
NOVEMBER
21. BVI Steelman Triathlon
Location: Beef Island, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Race(s): | Olympic | Relay |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.5km, Bike: 40km, Run: 10km
22. Cayman Islands Triathlon
Location: George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Race(s): | Olympic | Sprint | Relay |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.5km, Bike: 40km, Run: 10km / Swim: 750me, Bike : 20km, Run: 5km
23. Conchman Triathlon
Location: Taino Beach, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
Races: Sprint | Olympic | IronKids | Sprint Relays
Distances: Swim 750m, Bike 25km, Run 5km, / Swim 1.5m, Bike 50km, Run 10km, / Swim 200m, Bike 2.5km, Run 800m
24. Jamaica Triathlon
Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Race(s): | Olympic | Sprint | Kids | Relay |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.5km, Bike: 40km, Run: 10km / Swim: 750me, Bike: 23km, Run: 5km / Swim: 150me, Bike: 3km, Run: 2km
25. Nevis Triathlon
Location: Nevis
Races (s): | Nevis73 | Sprint | Kids |
Distance(s): Swim: 1000m, Bike: 62km, Race: 10km / Swim: 500m, Bike: 31km, Run: 5km / Swim: 100m, Bike: 10km, Run: 2.5km
26. Punta Cana Triathlon
Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Races (s): | Half | Sprint |
Distance(s): Swim: 1.9km, Bike: 56km, Race: 21.1km / Swim: 750me, Bike: 23km, Run: 5km
27. Tri St Lucia
Location: Saint Lucia
Races (s): | The Cutlass | The Pistol | The Dagger |
Distance(s): Swim: 1500m, Bike: 26.4km, Race: 10km / Swim: 750me, Bike: 13.2km, Run: 5km/ Swim: 200m, Bike: 6.6km, Run: 2.5km
So which of these Caribbean triathlons will you train for and race in the coming year? While they won’t have the mass numbers like triathlons in major cities like Chicago or London (that’s actually part of their charm along with lovely weather, the crystal clear warm waters of the Caribbean sea, and beautiful scenery), many have been around for quite some time including Jakes Off Road Triathlon in Jamaica which recently celebrated their 20th anniversary and is the oldest and perhaps best-known off-road triathlon in the Caribbean. Of course, up and coming races like the Nevis Triathlon, which has a scenic but challenging and unique course should not be overlooked. So pick a race from the list above and get training. Also, be sure to bring along your family and friends to support you in what is sure to be an exciting racecation/triathlon vacation! There are options for all levels.
Remember, For flight and hotel deals to the Caribbean, check out our Caribbean travel partner, Expedia.com.
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Top photo: Swimmers at the start of the 2014 Nevis Triathlon. Photo credit: ©Nevis Tourism Authority.
