APR 24

The United States (US) based mobile provider AT&T wireless has come to the assistance of the 18th Annual Grenada Triathlon scheduled to take place in Grenada this week-end.

The event will be held over a two day period April 24 and 25 at L' Anse Aux Epines in the south of the island.

General Manager of AT&T Wireless Susan Roberts presented a cheque worth $10,214 to Debbie Tod, Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Triathlon at a short ceremony held at the company's headquarters in Grand Anse.

Speaking about the presentation, Roberts disclosed that her company does not normally sponsor sporting events. She said they had decided to bend the rules however because the Triathlon is an Olympics promoted event that brought people from all over the world where they conduct business.

The Committee was also the recipient of water bottles, sunglasses and caps compliments the company. Because of the large sponsorship AT&T provided for the event, the company had decided to operate a booth in the area where persons can purchase their products.

The donation now makes it possible for the mobile provider to be the official sponsor of the Sprint race on Saturday. That event entails a 750 meters swim, a 20 kilometers bike ride and a five kilometer run. The winner of this event receives $1500.00.

Other activities include the Half Sprint Race which is sponsored by Grenada Electricity Services Ltd (GRENLEC), Heineken and Piton beer planned for Saturday This races comprises a 400 meters swim,12 kilometers ride and three kilometer run.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the event Debbie Tod told reporters that children will not be left out during the two day event.
She said the organisers have a junior event in place for youngsters 11 to 13 sponsored by Cocoa Cola. It entails 200 meters swim, a 6 kilometer ride and an11 kilometer run.

Tod disclosed that True Blue Bay Resort has agreed to sponsor the age ten and under category that entails 100 meter swim, 3 kilometer ride and a 0.5 kilometer run. She said that the swimming aspect of the triathlon will be in the L' Anse Aux Epines Bay with the run scheduled for the Maurice Bishop Highway up to the Point Salines International Airport (PSIA) back to the starting area.

The PRO for the Triathlon stated that registration for the AT&T Sprint race is $65 and $40 for the Half Sprint while Juniors will have to pay $25. Tod disclosed that the event has received major recognition and that they will like government support to assist in the promotion in order for them to attract world class participants. When the Triathlon started 18 years ago by Mr. and Mrs Paul Slinger, there were about a handful of athletes participating.

Over two hundreds athletes are expected from countries such as Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Nevis, USA, UK,and Canada.