Mountain Bike race on Sunday

The events are being put on by the Rainbow Warriors Triathlon Club headed by Trinidad and Tobago’s top triathlete Jason Gooding.

The August 20 race will feature a number of international participants from Australia, England and the United States of America, among other countries.

According to Ian Gooding, president of the Rainbow Warriors club, the race is expected to generate a lot of hype and interest in the years to come.

The junior Gooding (Jason) however said at the event’s launch at Sports and Games, Chacon Street, Port-of-Spain yesterday that apart from the City of Port-of-Spain Duathlon, his club will also host a Mini-Duathlon 5K on March 5 around the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. And the Rainbow Cup which is scheduled for May 20 in the sister isle of Tobago.

However the club will jump-start the year on Sunday with the River Raid Mountain Bike Race from 8 am Chaguaramas.

According to Gooding the race will consist a grueling five laps on a circuit on the Macqueripe Road totalling approximately four miles. Sports and Games Assistant Marketing Manager Rachel Nightingale said her company has decided to assist some of the country’s smaller clubs such as Rainbow Warriors, as opposed to the customary sponsorship of large, more recognised clubs.

This she said is aimed at enhancing the development of the sport of Triathlon and Duathlon in the twin-island republic.

According to Nightingale, the sponsorship is part of a long term partnership between her company and the Rainbow Warriors Club for the staging of various events.

Sponsorship of Sunday’s event will amount to $13,000 and will feature competition in five categories including a Juniors Under-19 Division, a Masters 50 years and Over, Open, Women and a team event which will consist two persons per team.

Registration for the event will be $70 and $100 for two persons.

Gooding revealed that he is eyeing a good performance at the coming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Colombia this year.

He failed to make an impact in the Commonwealth Games last year because of injuries but said he wants to do well this time around.

He said he has a lot planned for himself as far as triathlon goes, but has been hampered because of a lack of funding.