The Tribune

THE 2013 Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend is now open for registration.

Registration details are available at the event website: www.GAFFW.com or by contacting the Ministry of Tourism in Marsh Harbour.

The weekend-long event will be held from March 22-24 at the Treasure Cay Beach, Marina and Golf Resort.

The weekend starts off with a 1-mile open water swim on Friday, a sprint and Olympic triathlon on Saturday followed by a children’s 1-mile run and a 5k/10k fun run/walk on Sunday.

Planning for the second instalment of the event has been taking place over the past year and the organisers look forward to having a larger, fun-filled, family-oriented event.

Last year’s event brought around 75 participants and dozens more volunteers and spectators.

This year, there has been keen interest both locally and abroad, with a large group from Freeport planning to compete as well as a good base of athletes out of Nassau.

Abaconians are expected to provide strong competition yet again, as the inaugural event was successful and well-received throughout the archipelago.

Last year, local triathletes Simon Lowe and his father Greg Lowe were slated to compete head-to-head in the Olympic triathlon, but due to an injury Simon had to watch from the sidelines.

This year they both plan on returning and Greg will defend his title against his son and the other competitors.

The first two online registrations were both women, one from Freeport and the other from South Carolina.

The event is geared towards both locals and visitors. Treasure Cay has one of the most scenic ocean swims available and it was ranked one of the top ten beaches in the world by Caribbean Travel & Life.

The Ministry of Tourism, Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, and Damianos/Sotheby’s International Realty have again joined as the main sponsors.

This year Bahamas Ferries has a trip from Nassau to Abaco for the event, leaving Friday morning and returning Sunday afternoon. Those interested are asked to contact Bahamas Ferries directly to book their transportation.