Jason second in B’dos Triathlon

He was beaten by Irishman Anthony Sweetman, 30, who now lives in Barbados. Fifteen triathletes took part in the race.

“I haven’t been in the water for months,” said Gooding, “I have been doing a bit of cycling and some running just to keep from putting on weight, but my mind had not been of doing any international triathlon racing since I couldn’t afford to pay a coach in Canada or get to the international races, so I had made up my mind to give up that aspect of the sport that I have been doing for 13 years.”

Gooding had been devoting most of his time to promoting races through his Rainbow Warriors Triathlon Club www.rainbowtri.com and preparing for the second annual Rainbow Cup International Triathlon in Tobago on May 20. “I went to Barbados primarily to promote the Rainbow Cup Triathlon next month,” said Gooding. “I wasn’t really expecting to win, but I am happy with my result. I knew I wasn’t race fit but we have a good relationship with the Bajan Triathlon Federation so I had to show my face. I want them to come to my race again.

“Putting on such an event takes a lot of time and effort and that has been my main focus these days. We will also be staging the first-ever City of Port-of-Spain International Duathlon (run/cycle/run) around the capital on August 21 this year.

“We are planning to bring down some top quality athletes for these two events. And we are planning a six race series for Kids under 15, with the first one, a duathlon event, starting on April 30 at Chaguaramas,” Gooding said.

In addition to promoting racing events, Gooding and his father Ian have invested in a state-of-the-art Champion Chip Electronic timing system, the only one of its kind in this part of the Caribbean.

“We timed the CLICO Marathon, the Secondary Schools 5km, a 5km for UWI last year, and three races for the Carifin Fitness Club,” said Gooding.

“With this system, we can provide printed results within minutes after a race, so competitors can leave knowing their times and places overall and in their categories.

“All results are placed on our website at www.odesseytiming.com within 24 hours after the race, or as soon as I get home.”

Gooding was also in Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games recently as the chief triathlon official at the finish line.