You Can Race a Triathlon on the Same Course as Future Olympians
Head to Bermuda this April for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to rub shoulders with Olympic hopefuls—the trip is easier than you think.
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With the winter weather still in full effect, it’s tough to imagine jetting off to a subtropical location to participate in a triathlon—but that reality is closer than you realize. The 2019 ITU World Triathlon Bermuda, set for April 27, 2019, presents the opportunity to escape and kick off your season on a stellar sprint- or Olympic-distance course all while rubbing shoulders with future Olympians. There’s even a relay option if you’d rather grab a couple of friends and tackle it as a group! Still not convinced? Here are our top reasons for hitting the register button ASAP:
Bermuda Has the Best Triathlon Fans
Despite some injury struggles in 2018, Bermuda’s own Flora Duffy is considered a top contender for the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Bermudians have embraced both Duffy and the sport, and watching Duffy dominate at this race in 2018 was one of the best triathlon moments we’ve witnessed. The entire country is welcoming to everyone who travels in for the race and just about every local is well-versed in the sport. As an age-group athlete you get to compete in the morning and then enjoy the epic elite races alongside the Bermudian fans.
The Course is Epic
Don’t be intimidated by the fact that this is an ITU event—the age-group races are non-drafting and you’ll be lining up with athletes of all levels. This is a very beginner-friendly race with a protected swim, a completely closed course, and plenty of support from start to finish. The swim takes place in Hamilton Harbour, with athletes making a run up to T1. The bike segment is the true gem of this course; it has a mostly-rolling profile that takes you around Hamilton and features amazing views as well as the epic Corkscrew climb that you’ll have to tackle multiple times (two in the sprint, four in the standard). It finishes up with a flat and spectator-friendly run along the harbor.
You Have No Excuses!
Planning for a race like this can feel complicated, but it’s simpler than you think.
Excuse No. 1: I Don’t Know Where to Stay.
Bermuda features some of the best resorts in the world, and they’re all fairly reasonable priced for the event weekend.
Excuse No. 2: Bermuda… That Sounds Far
It’s not! There are several non-stop flights from the east coast, with New York being the shortest at 90 minutes, and Toronto around three hours—making this a pretty easy trip from anywhere in North America.
Excuse No. 3: But Traveling with My Bike… Ugh
The team at Race Day Transport will take good care of your bike or you can pick one of their rental options. They’ll get you fitted and comfortable for race day.
Excuse No. 4: I Don’t Do Well in the Heat
Good, because this is not a hot race! The temperature tends to sit in the high 60s or low 70s this time of year—perfect race weather.
Ready to register? Everything you need to know is at Bermuda.triathlon.org. Still unsure? This article and this article will give you more insights into what the multisport culture in Bermuda is all about. We’ll see you there!