THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) will stage its annual Independence Triathlon on May 17 in the East Bank Essequibo area.

According to Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) executive Stephanie Fraser, the event will get under way from noon on May 17 with the swimming aspect which will see participants swim a 5.0km course (South) from GuyAmerica Sawmill to Blake, then cycle for 25km (north) from Blake main road, (east) through Parika to Anna Catherina/Leonora.

The final leg will see participants compete in a 10km run (east) from Anna Catherina/Leonora junction to Den Amstel then back (west) to the Uitvlugt Community Centre for the finish.

Officials of GASA will assist with managing the swimming segment of the activity and Captain Cleo Da Silva of Roden-Rust will provide boats.

There will be one boat for every three swimmers along with one motor boat assigned to Emergency and Safety Officials.

A medical team will follow the entire course of the race and ranks from the Police traffic department along with officials from the NSC and volunteers from various sports association will assist with the cycling and running aspects.

Fraser reiterated that during any endurance event athletes need to stay hydrated and because of this, water stations will made available at various points during the course.

There will be four categories of participants – juniors 17 years and under (male and female) and seniors 18 years and over (male and female).

Each athlete will be clearly marked with a given number on their forearms and swim caps which will be donated by GASA.

Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to the first three xfinishersx in each category.

The first, second and third place finishers will also receive $35 000, $25 000 and $15 000 respectively.

The presentation of awards will be done immediately after the close of the race at the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground.

Registration forms can be uplifted from Gervy Harry, who can be contacted at the NSC on telephone number 226-6247, Fraser at Colgrain Pool Secretariat, Camp Street, Leslyn Boyce at Youth & Sport Officer Region 10, Linden (615-0168), Anton Barrington, Youth & Sport Officer, Region 5, W.C. Berbice (646-9444), Wayne Francois, Sports Officer, East Bank Demerara (649-3296) or Hazel Wilson, Youth & Sport Officer, Region 3. Essequibo (611-0869).

The deadline for entries is May 15 at 16:30 h at the Colgrain Swimming Pool, Camp and Middle Streets, Georgetown.

A technical meeting will be held at the GuyAmerica Sawmill at 11:30 h just prior to the start, where all participants will be given a final briefing on the rules of the race.