The Tribune

THE Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend returns to Treasure Cay March 16-18.

The three-day event encourages family and friends to participate in fun and friendly competition. The ever beautiful beaches and waters of Abaco set a perfect backdrop for the athletic events.

The events consist of a one-mile open water swim on Friday, triathlons and a kid's one-mile run on Saturday, and a 5k/10k fun run/walk on Sunday.

Participants can enter one or all events as desired. Teams of two or three persons can also compete in the triathlons, consisting of swim, bike and run legs.

This year marks the sixth occurrence of the event. Many participants are slated to return from across the Bahamas, US and Canada.

Triathlete Peter Tynes from Nassau has participated since 2013 and is returning to compete in all three main events.

The Abaco community continues to support the event - Abaco Insurance has joined as a gold sponsor, as has Aliv and Lucozade.

Wynsome Ferguson, of the Ministry of Tourism, has been involved with the event since its inception in 2012.

"We're excited to have the GAFFW return to Treasure Cay, and to bring with it the increase in tourism. In previous years this has been one of the largest event draws to Abaco, and we look forward to hosting everyone this year."

One of the big draws for the weekend are the myriad of prizes and awards given away at each race. Every participant receives a t-shirt, swag bag and a custom finisher's medal and there are awards for the top finishers.

Many local artists and vendors also donate prizes - Hope Town Canvas, Pete's Pub and more. Support from Nassau is also needed for the event - Bahamas Ferries is donating transportation for the equipment, and Dolphin Encounters and other businesses are donating prizes.

Transportation for the athletes is being made more affordable with specials available through the Treasure Cay Beach, Marina & Golf Resort.

Special room rates are available for the participants, along with airfare specials.

Participants from Nassau and Freeport can get their airfare costs applied to their room rates, with special offers through the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board.

Direct flights from Nassau into Treasure Cay on Bahamasair and increased airlift into Marsh Harbour ease access to the event.

Organiser Lee McCoy is optimistic about the event: "We are so grateful for the support of everyone throughout the years - we have grown as a family with the regular participants, the staff at Treasure Cay, our sponsors and supporters. We look forward to seeing everyone at the starting line."

McCoy and his wife, Chrystonia, organise events throughout the Bahamas and also support existing events such as the Dog Days Half Marathon in Freeport and the Potcakeman Triathlon in Nassau.

The Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend supports Friends of the Environment, a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving and protecting the environment in Abaco and throughout the Bahamas.

Participants can get more information and register online at www.GAFFW.com or on the Facebook page.

Abaco residents can register locally at Friends of the Environment in Marsh Harbour or at the Treasure Cay Hotel.

Volunteers are also needed for the event and those interested can contact the event at info@gaffw.com.