The Tribune

A NEW date and an exciting new “International” distance was in store for the participants of the sixth annual Powerade Potcakeman Triathlon which took place on April 15.

Athletes started with a 1,000m swim at Jaws Beach, followed by a three-loop 28-kilometre bike course ending up with a 7k run along the Clifton Heritage trails.

2016 champion Simone Bertoldo took another victory in a time of 1:28:04, narrowly beating Mark Dietrich who finished in second place. Completing the podium in the third spot was Gustavo Mery with the fastest run leg of the day.

The women’s race was also tightly contested with the two leading ladies - previous winner Anna Zywiolek and Emily Michiela who travelled down from Michigan to compete - neck-and-neck throughout the swim and bike.

Emily pulled away on the run finishing in an overall time of 1:42:56 just under three minutes ahead of Anna who had to settle for second this time around. Third place went to Elizabeth Shaddock who was eight minutes ahead of her nearest rival.

As always the relay event was extremely competitive, with teams competing in the same course as the individual athletes.

Victories went to team “Turbo Townends” in the all men’s category, “Splash, Flash & Dash” in the women’s division and “The Speedy Gamma” in the mixed team race.

Following the adult races the Junior and Puppy Aquathon sponsored by Dunkin Donuts took place offering kids the chance to get in on the action competing in a swim and run race.

A raffle draw concluded proceedings with the top prize of a Jamis Earth Cruiser bike donated by Cycles Unlimited.

On behalf of presenting sponsors Powerade, Nikia Wells, CBC marketing manager, said: “This year’s Powerade Potcakeman event was amazing, and we had a great time keeping all of the athletes hydrated with Powerade and Dasani.

BAARK! helps hundreds of animals, each year, through their work and education initiatives. We are extremely proud to support their mission.”

In addition to presenting partners Powerade, the event was sponsored by Subway, Purina, Aliv, Think Simple, Higgs & Johnson, KMPG, Albany, JS Johnson, The Pet Food Institute, Daminos Sothebys International Realty, Happy Pets Animal Hospital, Heineken, and Dunkin Donuts.

Race director Sarah Kennedy was pleased to announce that the event raised over $28,000 for Baark! (Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness)”.

“This is one of our main fundraisers of the year so making a good amount is really important for the continuation of our important programmes,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful feeling when everyone’s hard work pays off, our volunteers also deserve a special mention who went above and beyond and were essential to the event’s success.”