Category : Conchman Blog

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Conchman 25th Anniversary a major success!

Coach Bert Bell leads off with prayer

Coach Bert Bell leads off Conchman 25 with a prayer

What a great day. Largest field since Conchman #2. Wonderful weather. Lots of visitors and 48 relay teams. 68 individuals  221 total participants.

Organizing committee thanks all the volunteers especially Jack Hayward High School GGYA participants who worked all day Friday to set up, on the course for both the Ironkids and Conchman races and after the event breaking down and cleaning up. We also thank Beacon School whose students also helped with the set up.

The committee is very grateful to the business community of both Nassau and Freeport whose financial and logistic donations make the race possible.

The Ironkids were fantastic, this race makes my day (Bert Bell).

Finally we thank all the participants, especially those from off shore, who made our efforts worthwhile.

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2001 Conchman Triathlon Awards

Winners of the open divisions of the 15th Annual Grand Bahama Conchman

Photo by Brent Bethell

Pictured at the presentation evening, following a highly successful 15th Annual Grand Bahama Conchman, are (L to R) Andrew Bell (2nd place male), Jude Rolsche (3rd place male), Alana Dillette (3rd place female), Amy Zindel (1st place female), Ruth Monnig (2nd place female) and John Bradley Conchman Chairman. This year the overseas winners were also awarded air tickets and hotel rooms from GB Vacations to return to Grand Bahama. Local competitors were rewarded with air tickets to GB Vacation destinations abroad.

Overseas competitors enjoying their time BEFORE the Conchman Triathlon

Photo by Brent Bethell

Pictured are a group of the overseas competitors posing before the triathlon started on Saturday morning along with Darryl Haley, ex-NFL Lineman who traveled to Grand Bahama to support the Conchman Triathlon and the Iron kids competition. The 15th Annual Conchman had over 40 overseas triathletes taking part, most of whom have committed to return next year. Also in the picture (on the far right) are John Bradley, Conchman Committee Chairman and (far-left) Chris Cafferata, Committee member.

Future Bahamian Triathletes celebrate their success!

Photo by Brent Bethell

Pictured are a number of the younger competitors at the awards presentation celebration held at The Port Lucaya Market Place. The Iron kid triathlon is a modified race, which allows school children to compete in this exciting sport. This year the youngest competitor was four years old and total entries were over 220.

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Darryl Haley arrives in Grand Bahama to support The Conchman Triathlon & Iron Kids

This year’s Conchman Triathlon is being made even more special with the appearance and support of former pro-football player, Darryl Haley, the world’s largest Iron Man triathlete, who stands at six feet, six inches and weighs 325 pounds. Mr. Haley, who has played for the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns in his eight year NFL career, is dedicated to “improving international relations, youth involvement and spectator support” in events, such as the triathlon.

Before the Conchman triathlon, Mr. Haley is conducting clinics for participants and the Iron Kids athletes. He will visit various schools such as The Beacon School, Walter Parker, Freeport Primary, Sunland Lutheran, Lucaya International and St. George’s High and Sir Jack Hayward High to talk to the student body and athletic teams not only about triathlons but also sport specific fitness and general health.

On Friday, November 2nd, Mr. Haley will hold a special clinic at 4pm on Taino Beach and will also give a special talk on fitness and training at Our Lucaya starting at 6:30pm. After the race on Saturday, Mr. Haley will host a final clinic at Our Lucaya from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.

As the day for the 15th Annual Conchman Triathlon quickly approaches, athletes and fitness lovers, who have trained rigorously, are preparing mentally for the most challenging race of the season. Even athletes from abroad are eagerly anticipating Grand Bahama’s triathlon, and according to race organiser, Coach Bert Bell, they have received 50 entries from overseas thus far.

The race, which will be held at Taino Beach on November 3rd, 2001, will begin with a pre-race registration of athletes from 6:30am to 7:30am, after which Minister of Tourism, Honorable C.A. Smith will officially commence the ceremonies. Then promptly at 8am, the athletes will shift into first gear as they race to complete a 1000 metre (half a mile) swim, 25km (15 miles) bike ride and a 5km (3 miles) run. The race will be followed by the Iron Kids race at 12pm where kids 12 and under will participate in a 200 metre swim, two and a half mile bike ride, and a half mile run.

The public is encouraged to support this exciting race and cheer on some of regular favorites like, Stefan Larsen, David Bell, Ada Lester, Alana Dillette and Jacinda Mireault, to name a few.

This year’s Conchman, is an event persons won’t want to miss, as the media houses of The Freeport News and Cool 96 will be battling it out to see who is the toughest on the island. Plus there will be lots of food and drinks available. Even those who didn’t break a sweat can still enjoy themselves as they can expect a good race from start to finish, for Coach Bell promises, “Unless there’s a hurricane, the race will get on, so don’t miss it.”

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Conchman T-shirts Ready for Competitors & Volunteers

Photo courtesy of Barefoot Marketing

Final preparations have all been put in place for this Saturdays 15th Annual Conchman Triathlon. Pictured showing off the 2001 Conchman T-shirts are (L to R) John Bradley, Conchman Chairman, Ron Davidson of Brita Water who sponsor the Volunteer T-shirts, Brent Bethel, of Show Off T-shirts, printers of the shirts and Bert Bell, race coordinator. This years event looks to be one of the best with the new Media Challenge, guest appearance of ex NFL lineman Darryl Haley and over 40 overseas competitors.

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BK & KFC Support Conchman Triathlon

KFC + BK Donation

Photo courtesy of Barefoot Marketing

Seen supporting the upcoming 15th Annual Conchman Triathlon, which is to be held at Taino Beach on Saturday November the 3rd, are (from left to right) Mr. Dion Paul, Marketing Manager for Burger King, Ms. Carla Strachan, Marketing Manager for KFC and Conchman Race Director, Mr. Bert Bell. Mr. Paul stated his company and KFC are pleased to be helping “put a shot in the arm” of the triathlon tourism market. “We see the future possibilities of this triathlon bringing increasing revenue to our tourism market,” added Ms. Strachan “and we want to be involved in helping our community grow”. Bert Bell and the Conchman committee are very pleased to have such prominent companies on board and invite everyone to come out and see the event for themselves.

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Local Business Support IRON KIDS!

Despite the economy three extraordinary local businesses are stepping forward to lend their support to the Royal Sun Alliance Iron Kids triathlon, a mini version of the Conchman triathlon, in the hopes of increasing local kids turnout for this event. This year the Conchman committee is challenging all schools to make a consorted effort to get as many kids as they can active in the triathlon process. The top three schools with the most participants will be eligible to win prizes for their schools or physical education department.

The challenge has been backed up by local businesses that have come forward and donated prizes to help the cause. The Home Centre, formerly Builders Depot, has donated the first prize, a brand new computer, Bellevue Business Depot has donated second prize a Colour Ink Jet Printer and Playtime Sports have donated the third prize, a $100 worth of Sports equipment.

“We are so pleased to see new sponsors coming on board to support our efforts, and to acknowledge how important it is to support the youth involvement in this event,” said Bert Bell, Conchman Race Director. The
committee is busy handing out flyers to local schools now and is looking forward to a positive response from the schools. For more information about the Iron Kids event you can contact Bert Bell 457-5886 or log on to their Web site at www.conchman.com.

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Get in shape for the Conchman Triathlon

Athletes, fitness lovers, and those who like a good challenge can definitely reserve November 3rd, 2001 on their calendars for the 15th annual Conchman Triathlon set to take place at Taino Beach.

This three-event race, which is open to competitors of all ages, consists of a 1000 metre (half a mile) swim, 25 km (15 miles) bike ride and a 5 km (3 miles) run. Race director, Coach Bert Bell, who was instrumental in organising this race with Craig Stewart and Ambrose Gouthro from its inception, says this event is a test of overall fitness and endurance.

“It’s not a race necessarily to win but to give the participant a goal for fitness development. It has three disciplines and it’s attractive as a fitness alternative and recreation activity. If you’re concerned about your general fitness level and trying to stay young, then this community event is for you,” says Coach Bell.

The triathlon is a fairly new sport having originated from the Iron Man races in Hawaii 16 years ago before becoming a more organised, respected event in Bermuda. It was then that Coach Bell, Mr. Gouthro and Mr. Stewart saw the potential for having a Bahamian triathlon and 15 years ago held the first race at Xanadu Beach.

The race consists of two categories. First, the open event which starts at 8am and also includes relay races for those whom prefer to complete only one leg of the Conchman with the other two being completed by their team mates. And the Iron Kids race which starts at 12pm, and where kids from as young as three years of age and up participate in a 200 metre swim, two and a half mile bike ride, and a half mile run. The organizers have a water walk leg that replaces the swim for those children who cannot swim yet, in order that all may enjoy this fun sport. Over the years, Coach Bell has noticed a number of offshore participants. In the upcoming Conchman, 17 persons from the United States and Canada have entered so far and the website, conchman.com, designed by Dave Mackey of 100 Jamz, has seen a number of hits from interested persons. Even more close to home, a few participants from Nassau and Abaco have competed in this event. However, Coach Bell and Conchman committee members “would like to see an all time record high of participants enter.”

This year, spectators can keep an eye out for Stefan Larsen, David Bell, Ada Lester, Alana Dillete and Jacinda Mireault. Participants can also get in tip-top shape by attending practices for no charge every Saturday and Sunday at 4p.m. at Taino beach, hosted by Coach Bell, who recommends swimming, running and riding twice a week each.

The Conchman committee members are busy working on making this sporting event one of the most enticing in Grand Bahama and are very excited about the involvement of Grand Bahama Vacations. Mr. Peter Shaw, Vice President of Marketing for GB Vacations is convinced that this event has the potential for great development and “We are happy to help in any way. We can transport both the athlete and their equipment from a number of our gateways to Grand Bahama, bringing additional tourist revenue to the island”. Currently, Grand Bahama Vacations is supporting the event by donating 46 room nights and 4 air tickets to Laker destinations as prizes to the winners of the Conchman 2001. First place overall male and female winners will receive a round trip from any of GB Vacations locations and 4 nights in their Grand Bahama Hotels. Second place overall winners will receive 4 night stay and round trip airfare from Ft. Lauderdale to Grand Bahama and third place will receive a 4 night stay at a GB Vacations Hotel. The committee is very happy that such an established vacation specialist is committed to supporting and helping develop the event. The committee has also enlisted pro-football player, Daryl Haley to do some clinics to promote the Iron Kids race, which is sponsored by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company and Attorney Fred Smith. Coach Bell also assures participants that BASRA and the Royal Bahamas Police Force will manage water and road safety, respectively.

Locals and international competitors see the Conchman Triathlon as the ultimate challenge event in Grand Bahama. Not to mention it is a great way for the community to come together, have great food and entertainment provided by Tony Macaroni, while supporting the participants. Sure there may be one or two races in Grand Bahama but there is only one Conchman; a test of courage, endurance and skill.

Persons wishing to participate in the Conchman can register online at their website or pick up an entry form for Iron Kids participants at their local school’s PE Department. All registration forms can be turned in at the Pre-race meetings scheduled for November 1-2nd at Our Lucaya where race packages will be given out. For more information on practices and the Conchman persons can call Coach Bell at 373-6226, 457-5886 or drop by the Freeport Aquatics Club at Freeport Anglican High School between 4-7:30pm.