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Description:
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2012 Pineapple-a-thon Triathlon:
The race runs in conjunction with the annual Pineapple Festival, which runs all weekend and features food, drink, games, live music and some endurance races! A beautiful location on Gregory Town's cove the festival celebrates the area's pineapple farmers.
The music doesn't stop until the wee hours.
The race was reintroduced to the festival schedule, after an absence of a few years, in 2006. It has continued to grow each year, but maintains it's fun-but-competitive nature.
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Course Info:
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Swim:
The 500 meter triangle swim course is surrounded by the limestone cliffs of the Gregory Town cove.
This leeward cove is usually flat calm and perfect for swimming but can get choppy if a westerly wind picks up.
Transition area:
The transition area is up the steps (careful!) and just to the right.
Bike:
The 11 kilometer bike course has racers head north to the turnaround at the Oleander Gardens subdivision entrance, then back into town, twice.
About midway of each loop racers will encounter 'The Hill'. A challenging climb that racers make their way up a total of four times. Be prepared for some climbing and some fast downhills. Helmets a good idea.
Run:
The 5 kilometer run course once again heads north out of town to the turnaround at the Cove Resort entrance.
The Hill is climbed a total of two more times.
You can encourage and keep an eye on your fellow competitors on the out-and-back loops, a design which a lot of our racers enjoy!
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Directions:
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Eleuthera can be reached directly from both Miami International Airport (American Airlines) and Fort Lauderdale Airport (Continental and Twin Air).
Gregory Town is closest to ELH and GHB airports on the northern end of Eleuthera.
You can also travel through Nassau and take a ferry from there.
Please email Tom for further travel information and information about accomodations.
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Other Info:
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Interview with Simon Lowe of Nassau, Bahamas who won the 2011 Pineapple-a-thon.
Q: How would you rate the Pineapple-a-thon Triathlon versus the Conchman, Grand Bahama triathlon, that you won in November?
A: I would rate this course as slightly harder than the Conchman [Grand Bahama triathlon]. The Conchman is a longer race but the hills in Gregory Town more than make up for the shorter distance. The swim is easier as it’s shorter but the bike and run are more difficult. The run is the same distance in both races, in the Conchman I completed the 5k in 20 minutes whereas this one took 22.
Q: Have you been doing triathlons or any other sports all your life?
A:I’m 28 now and got into tris when I was 24. Prior to that I had done some off and on running as well as team sports like soccer. Running is still my strongest out of the three. I taught myself how to swim freestyle at 24 and that is still my weakest link. I’m getting lessons now to help me bring it up to the same standard as my biking and running. I hadn’t done any cycling since I was a kid but I took to it pretty naturally.
Q: What are your roots?
A: I was born in Nassau to a Bahamian father with Abaco roots and an English mother. I moved to England when I was 10 years old and would come back to The Bahamas during the school holidays. I moved back to Nassau four years ago.
Interview with Molly Brutvan of Canton, Ohio who won the female division of the 2011 Pineapple-a-thon
Q: Have you ever won a triathlon?
A: I placed in my age group on the first tri that I did, but I have never won. I was pleasantly surprised to win here. We planned vacation and stumbled across this event in the process, so while some preparation did go into it, it was really just for fun!
Q: When did you get into triathlons?
A: I ran track in HS as a social sport and never really did well. I always thought it would be cool to do a triathlon and after being out of college for a few years, getting married, and packing on a few extra pounds, I decided it was time to do it. It started as a weight loss venture and turned into something I really enjoyed. After struggling in the run portion during my first tri, I decided to focus on running for a while. Since then (about 2 ½ years ago) I have run in two full marathons, (Cleveland Rite Aid Marathon and Niagara falls International Marathon); 2 half marathons (Akron Road Runner Half Marathon 2x); and numerous 10K’s and 5K’s.
Q: Any advice on how to conquer ‘The Hill’?
A: Akron Marathon is notorious for its hills, so I have some experience running a tough hill, but the bike is a completely different story. Strategy for Biking the hill: DON’T STOP, and take advantage of the downhill to recover from the tough climb, because you’re going to have to do it again. I’m not a strong biker, so I guess I was lucky I had some experience running hills.
It was great to meet you.
We had a great time in the Bahamas and look forward to visiting again!
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Previous Results:
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2011 Results at: TriFind.com - (June 4, 2011)
2010 Results at: TriFind.com - (June 5, 2010)
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