Eighteen-year-old national triathlete Nicholas Mitchell will start as one of the favourites in the ninth annual Neal and Massy Rainbow Cup on June 22, at Turtle Beach, Tobago. Some $60,000 in cash and prizes will given away at the event.
Mitchell will compete in the Men Sprint Triathlon event and will not have last year's champion Mark London in his way. London, another national athlete, will not be competing this year because he is now focusing on his track-and-field career.
Mitchell, though, has been in good form of late, winning the Tri and Spice Triathlon recently in Grenada.
Participants in the sprint triathlon will swim 750 metres, ride 20 km and run 5 km.
At the launch of the event yesterday at Neal and Massy, Morvant, Jason Gooding, a former national triathlete and race director said, "This year we are focusing on the local athletes."
Ancil Greene of T&T will headline the Men's Olympic Distance Triathlon. This event comprises a 1500-metre swim, a 40-km ride and a 10-km run.
Greene will be hoping to improve his performance this year, after his third-place finish in 2012. Other events on the day includes the Women's Olympic Distance and Sprint Triathlon, a 3,000-metre open water swim, a kids' triathlon and a 5-km Fun Run/Walk event.
Gooding said Grenada and Barbados would be represented at the event, which will include 21-year-old Barbadian Matthew Wright.
Gervase Warner, president and Group CEO of Neal and Massy encouraged everyone to participate at the event saying: "The event promotes wellness and healthy lifestyles, and the triathlon is a fun and family event."
Gooding also spoke proudly about Rajesh Durbal, a triple amputee, who will compete in the sprint triathlon.
"Many people have started doing triathlon because of him." Durbal's legs and one arm are amputated.
To register for the event visit Geronimo's, Mike's Bike's, YMCA Tobago or www.active.com. For further information call 632-9004, 784-4128 or 324-4117.