Schools are up to the Challenge

MONDAY, MAY 28: Who will claim bragging rights in the first-ever Senior Schools Challenge at this year’s Tokio Millennium Triathlon on June 10?

So far CedarBridge Academy, Somersfield Academy and Warwick Academy are up for the Challenge and are committed to participating. The Berkeley Institute, Saltus Grammar School and Bermuda High School have been contacted about putting teams in.

The schools are organizing teams that each include a swimmer, a cyclist and a runner. The teams can be composed of boys, girls or mixed. They will compete in a 200m swim, 8km bike ride and 2km run. Swimmers have the option to continue on and compete as individuals. 

The fastest overall team will receive a trophy to display at school for a year.  Schools which enter at least two teams will also be eligible to participate to win a cash prize for their school for PE equipment.

Tokio Millennium Re Ltd. is encouraging students to sign up as a way to promote physical fitness and wellness through athletic activity.  The Senior Schools Challenge will be one part of the Tokio Millennium Triathlon that draws in participants from all athletic levels, including individuals and corporate participants. 

There is also a Try-a-Tri, which has shorter distances for newcomers. The 200m swim, 8km bike and 2km run will give individuals a taste of what it is like to compete in a triathlon. 

This is the second year the Tokio Millennium Triathlon has been held in Hamilton. Evan Naude and Kristyn Tobey Robinson are the defending male and female champions.

The senior individual, junior advanced, and team races will start at 9:45am with a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run.

The Try-a-Tri for novices starts at 8:45am.

For younger kids, there is the Individual Junior Racing Bike and Mountain Bike Duathlon, which begins at 8:00am.

The Individual Junior Racing Bike Duathlon will have four age groups:

• boys and girls aged 7 to 8 (1km run, 4km bike, 1km run)
• boys and girls aged 9 to 10 (1km run, 4km bike, 1km run)
• boys and girls aged 11 to 12 (12km run, 8km  bike, 2km run)
• boys and girls aged 13 to 14 (2km run, 8km bike, 2km  run).

The Junior Mountain Bike Duathlon will have three age categories:

• boys and girls aged 7 to 9 (1km run, 4km bike, 1km run)
• boys and girls aged 10 to 11 (1km run, 4km bike, 1km run)
• boys and girls aged 12 to 14 (1km run, 4km bike, 1km run).

To register, visit www.racedayworld.com. Registration closes on Wednesday, June 6. Entry fees are $25 for juniors, $25 Try-a-Tri, $30 for junior advanced, $35 for senior individual and $50 for senior team.

Race packets may be collected on Friday, June 8 between 5pm and 7pm at the Waterfront Properties Courtyard off Pitt’s Bay Road.

Race maps are posted at www.tokiomillennium.com/bermuda/events.html  and on the TokioMillennium Re Triathlon Facebook event page at http://www.facebook.com/events/401741336504257/.