The Tribune

TWO regulars on the local triathlon and international ironman scene made it to the top of the leaderboard in the first BMC Dri Tri on Saturday.

Competitors had to row on the ergometers, bike on spin cycles and run on treadmills for 15 minutes each to see who could log the furthest distance.

Cameron Roach claimed the top male prize with a total row, bike and run distance of 9.74 miles. Right on his heels was Donovan Rolle who logged 9.71 miles over 15 minutes on each apparatus. Greg Michelier rounded out the men’s podium with a total distance of 9.33 miles.

On the women’s side, Sarah Kennedy logged an impressive 9.607 miles for a convincing win. Anne Monroe was second with 8.81 miles, just edging out Lori Roach with a total 8.61 miles.

In the relay division, the men’s relay winners were Doctors Hospital White with rower Dahar Butler, cyclist Maurice Newbold and runner Tristin Moss. They logged a total 9.099 miles. The top female team was Swede Connect with a total 8.53 miles. Sara Saunders cycled while teammate Julie Pendlebury rowed and ran. The mixed team winners were the Rotaract Club Southeast Nassau Centennial team of rower Terrea Nairn, cyclist Kordero St Cyr and runner Jacquilia Newton. Their winning distance was 8.78 miles.

Prizes were also awarded for the top men and women on each apparatus. Donovan Rolle went the furthest in rowing (2.36 miles) and running (2.3 miles) while Kordero St Cyr eclipsed the competition on the bike with 5.86 miles.

For the women, Sarah Kennedy had the top row (2.02 miles) and bike (5.73 miles) while Yunelis Lightbourne of Team Jammers clocked the best run (2.09 miles).

“Our primary aim was to create an unique event to encourage people of all fitness levels to challenge themselves and get moving,” says Jessica Robertson, Doctors Hospital and Bahamas Medical Centre marketing director.

“While the top of the leaderboard was filled with familiar faces on the triathlon scene, we had lots of people compete who have never attempted something like this before. Competitors ranged in age from 12 to 60+ and we even had a team comprised of a grandmother, daughter and grandchild.”

The category winners received great prizes, including dinner at Aqua at the British Colonial Hilton, Blue Lagoon Island Segway Tour and Dolphin Encounter excursions, Bahamas Medical Centre gym memberships, passes to Sandy Toes, all inclusive night stays at Breezes Bahamas and executive physicals at Bahamas Medical Centre.

“There is no way we could have pulled this event off without the support of some incredibly generous corporate sponsors. In addition to Cycles Unlimited who provided the special spin bikes for the day of competition, CocaCola Bahamas provided Dasani water and PowerAde to ensure our competitors were properly hydrated, Bebin diapers and Goaheads biscuits signed on as gold sponsors, Royal Bank of Canada and Subway as our silver sponsors and Abaco Markets Limited and Ports International joined us as bronze sponsors,” Jessica said.

The energy in the room was so motivating and that was a a direct result of the music provided throughout the day by DJ Dey (Dave Beckford) and all the Doctors Hospital Health System volunteers who doubled as cheering squads for every single competitor.

Each person who completed the Dri Tri received an event t-shirt, a swag bag filled with goodies and a beautiful medal created by PROMPT Race Management.

In addition to providing a new and exciting event, the BMC Dri Tri provided corporate sponsors as well as competitors with an opportunity to give back. All of the money raised is being donated to the Dr Meyer Rassin Scholarship Foundation.

“Every year, the Dr Meyer Rassin Foundation provides scholarships to help young Bahamians pursue their goals of an education and career in healthcare. Not only does the scholarship fund make it easier, and in some cases possible for them to achieve their goals, it ensures that there is another generation of healthcare providers to take care of us,” Jessica said. “We are excited to be able to contribute to the education of young Bahamians with this new event.”

The 2017 BMC Dri Tri has been tentatively scheduled for February 4.