August 2, 2004 – The best athletes in the Virgin Islands will be joining weekend warriors and first-time participants at Cane Bay for the Toyota Wall2Wall Triathlon starting at 7 a.m. on Sept. 19.
Organizers of this first-time event are hoping to have 50 to 100 participants and to make it a yearly event with money raised going to a different charity each year. This year the V.I. Swimming Federation will be the beneficiary.
After an 800-yard swim over the wall in Cane Bay, participants will take a 16-mile bike ride along the North Shore followed by a 3.1 mile run. Individuals can swim, bike and run or choose one event as part of a team.
The Good Hope School announced it would be putting teams together for the event. Faculty athletes are Paul Errickson, director of middle school, swim, bike and run; Mark Kennedy, resource teacher, run; and Elizabeth Tilden, director of upper school, swim.
The student athletes are Megan Layton, swim, bike and run; Jesse Hunt, bike and run; Reikichi Anduze, run; Fara Westerman, swim; and Robin Franks, bike.
Ray Lutz, the organizer said, "This event is meant to raise money for charity; get folksout in a low stress fitness activity in one of the most beautiful settings in the world and, most importantly, to have fun."
Lutz emphasized that this will be low-key event that novices should feel comfortable in. He said, "We are Virgin Islanders and neighbors. We treat each other with respect."
He also said the event organizers would "emphasize safety throughout minimizing risks of injury." He gave as examples that there would be "multiple kayaks in support, plenty of water stops, police and EMT support and trained on-site medical personnel."
He added that participants should also be attracted because of the beauty of the setting for the event – the North Shore and Salt River area, and an after event at Cane Bay Beach Bar.
Every participant will get a shirt and a bag full of items such as mesh gym bags, water bottles etc. Lutz said, "I personally am proud of the "goodie" bags and shirts. They compare very well to much larger events where folks pay a lot more money."
Participants don't have to win to earn prizes. There is a prize for the last place finisher as well as for random finishers of different events and there are drawings for other prizes.
Swimmers will go out 250 yards from shore and swim along the Wall. The swim will be marked with buoys. Runners and bikers will finish at the base of the "Wall of the Beast" hence the name, Wall2Wall.
Lutz said that people "at Project St. Croix, V.I. Pacers, V.I. swimming and running federations have provided guidance and assistance" with organizing the event.
For information e-mail Lutz Raymond Lutz or call 778-4624.
Individual pre-race registration is $20 and on the day of the race it is $25. Team entries are $60 dollars. Entry forms may be picked up at GNC/Endurance Sports on St. Thomas and St. Croix or at the Caribbean Health and Fitness Complex on St. Croix.
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