It's Bank of Bermuda Triathlon time and organisers are again hopeful of a bumper crop of individuals and teams taking part in what is the Island's largest annual triathlon, writes Patrick Bean.

"This event is actually made up of a number of different races," pointed out Bank of Bermuda Events and Promotions officer Karen Madeiros.

"We have races to meet the needs of the more serious individual triathlon competitor, and a group of three adults can enter a team. But the youth element is extremely important as anyone with a pair of running shoes or a bike can join in."

Hundreds of adults take part in the traditional triathlon disciplines of swimming, cycling and running, either as an individual or part of a team.

However, realising the importance of youth for continuity, the Bank are keeping a firm eye on the future by creating races specifically for young people between the ages of seven and 14, who will be able to compete in running and cycling. The children's events will be duathlons, as Hamilton Harbour is very deep and not suitable for young children to swim in.

"The youth events were really successful last year," said Madeiros. "There were 25 teams in the team event, and almost 45 children competing in the individual event, that's almost 100 all together.

"But we're convinced there are more young people out there who can take part - it's a great way to get active and a lot of fun to take part in.

"If there are two friends out there, one who can run and one with a bike, they should fill in the competitors' application form and join in."

Kicking off two weekends of activities will be the adult team event and the junior ultra sprint team duathlon on Sunday, September 30.

The adult competition will be split into five age group categories, taking in a one-mile swim, 15 mile cycle, and six mile run, while the youngsters will compete over two separate distances, with seven to 10 year-olds required to run a half mile, before handing over for a two and a half mile bike, followed by another half mile run.

The 11-14 year-olds will have a pair of one mile runs sandwiched around a five mile cycle.

The following week's individual version will follow a similar script, with the adults taking in a half mile mile swim, 12 mile cycle and three mile run, while the youths will cover two half mile mile runs and a two and a half mile cycle (seven to 10 year-olds) or two one mile runs and a five mile cycle (11-14 year-olds).