Women only pro triathlon coming to Bermuda

Bermuda is set to host a professional triathlon just for women this November, which could attract as many as 500 overseas competitors.

The SheROX Bermuda is scheduled on November 14 as the season ending event of a seven-race series, which also includes events in Philadelphia, Miami, Tempe, Arizona, Aurora, Colorado, Webster, Massachusetts and Asbury Park, New Jersey. The event is open to both professional and amateur triathletes.

Barb McKeever, SheROX series director, said: "This is truly the most beautiful triathlon race course of SheROX Series and I want all of our athletes to share in the experience. I can't think of a more scenic location to wrap up the race season than in the paradise of Bermuda. Just a short flight from the entire eastern coast of the United States, SheROX Bermuda is a great opportunity for our athletes to plan a weekend getaway and get in one last race prior to the holiday season. We're thrilled to be working with the Bermuda Department of Tourism to bring the SheROX Series to Bermuda."

McKeever told the Bermuda Sun it would be the first time in the series five-year history that an event will be held outside of the United States.

“We heard about a series that was down there. A couple of friends of mine who were in it told me they loved racing in Bermuda. They talked about the beauty of Bermuda, the great courses and the hospitality of Bermudians. The Escape to Bermuda dissolved so we thought it was a great opportunity to bring the all women’s series to Bermuda.”

She said a normal event will have from 1,000 to 2,000 women participating but she expects the first one here to host between 300 and 500 women and grow from there.

“That’s about an average size for a first time women’s event and it’s a three year build to get up over 1,000 participants. We’re finding in this economy many just do local events, but women are travelling with us and we’re hoping that’s the case for Bermuda as well.”