Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Tomorrow morning marks the 13th Jake's Off Road Triathlon, which is scheduled to take off at 7:00 in Great Bay, St Elizabeth.

The triathlon will begin with a 500-metre swim at Great Bay, followed by a 25km bike race through the back roads of neighbouring communities and culminates with a 7km run to the finish line at Jake's.

The event is open to individual participants at a cost of $1,500 and $3,000 for teams and registration takes place this afternoon.

The event that attracts top off-road racers and enthusiasts from Jamaica, the Caribbean and around the world will culminate with a prize-giving ceremony at adjoining Jack Sprat Seafood and Pizza Restaurant.

Prizes this year will include a weekend for two at Couples, a weekend for two at Jake's, a weekend for two at Sandals Whitehouse, a brunch for two at Strawberry Hill and a mountain bike.

Jake's, in Treasure Beach, will partner with Wata and Nature Valley, a brand synonymous with natural snack foods to raise fund to assist the organising committee, BREDS, and the Treasure Beach Foundation in extending their volunteer services in the community.

Proceeds from this year's competition will go towards the development of the Treasure Beach Sports Park which when developed, will house a professional football field, cricket pitch, tennis courts, playground and community centre.

According to Henzel, a 15-acre property was acquired in Calabash Bay four years ago courtesy of former member of parliament, Donald Buchanan, and a long-term lease was signed with BREDS to develop the property into a first-class park and at the same time introduce sports tourism to Jamaica.

The project will be implemented on a phased-basis with the first segment including the construction of a large children's playing area, a football field and enhancing the surrounding area of the pond located on the property.

Phase two will see the construction of a cricket pitch, while the tennis court and community centre will be constructed in phases three and four. Phase five will see the construction of basketball, netball and volleyball courts.