The vibrant community of Treasure Beach in St Elizabeth will once again showcase its qualities as some of the island’s top triathletes will be involved in this year’s staging of the 2023 Jakes Off-Road Triathlon, which will take place on Saturday, April 29.

Over 60 individuals and more than 20 teams are expected to take on what is still the longest-running off-road event locally, which is swiftly approaching 30 years.

Last year, the TSM team took the open male event ahead of Team Jakes and Palm 360, and Mileydi secured the female open team event ahead of Bettyful Jamaica 3 and Mandla.

Defending men’s individual champion Carlyle Russell, and last year’s female champion, Elizabeth Mondon, are expected to return to take on the 300-metre open water swim in Great Bay, as well as the 25 kilometres off the road and mountain bike ride, which takes the participants through places such as Calabash Bay, Newell, and the seven-kilometre trail run through locations such as Old Wharf and Sandy Bank.

As expected, the local competitors will have to contend with international triathletes, including Canada’s Laura Cousineau on the female side.

This year, the organisers have brought back the Little Jakes race, which will see children 12 years and under taking part, which is pleasing for event organiser Jason Henzell.

“We feel it is important to encourage youngsters to start doing triathlons, and it is through this same initiative that we started a swimming programme called ‘little swimmers’ that has trained over 500 persons how to swim,” he said.

Henzell has also highlighted that proceeds from this year’s event will go towards further developing the Breds Sports Park in Treasure Beach, which will see more opportunities being provided for the youngsters in the community.

“The funds this year will be going towards building a commercial kitchen at the Treasure Beach Sports Park as we want to expand our training with HEART to offer chef training to those who want to acquire that skill. They will also be giving some help to the Treasure Beach health clinic,” Henzell said.