Defending champion Simon Lowe is hoping to recover from a broken collarbone suffered seven weeks ago to defend his Pineapple-a-thon title on June 2.
The Pineapple-a-thon triathlon covers a 500-meter swim in the beautiful Gregory Town cove, 11 kilometers (k) of hilly biking and a 5k run. Lowe, 29, one of the stars of the growing sport in The Bahamas, set the course record a year ago, in his first-ever pineapple-a-thon. This year, he is just easing back into the sport after the fluke injury that occurred after his shirt got caught in his front wheel.
"I started biking and running again about two weeks ago," Lowe said via Facebook. "I still have not tried any swimming since the accident so I will just have to wing that. My cycling and running is coming back quite fast."
Lowe edged three-time defending champion Ken Bots of Port Orange, Florida, last year winning the race in 52 minutes and 37 seconds. The Pineapple-a-thon course is renowned for 'The Hill' that riders climb four times in the saddle and twice in their running shoes.
"I try to incorporate as much hill training as possible into my routine," Lowe said. "It's not easy in Nassau but I do a bit of bridge running between Nassau and Paradise Island and try and hit the hills around Love Beach on my bike."
The race is part of the annual Pineapple Fest's slate of activities and hopes to match or eclipse last year's record turnout of 37 racers. Racers compete in men's, women's and team divisions for prizes donated by Pineapple Air, Sands Beer, Rainbow Inn, Island Touch Massage, and the Laughing Lizard Café.
Lowe, who also won the inaugural UWC Triathlon in New Providence last September and is a former Conchman Champion (Grand Bahama), said: "I love Eleuthera for many reasons. The relaxed vibe and friendliness of the locals is always a treat. I'm really looking forward to the Pineapple Fest. I had a great time at that event last year."
Also, UWC women's champion Alana Rodgers is expected to compete in her first pineapple-a-thon, and Tennessee native and long-time Eleutheran Abe McIntyre said he's in training for his record sixth pineapple-a-thon.

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