About the Triathlon

Triathlon in Cayman has been alive and active since the early 1980’s. It was inevitable that with a year round climate similar to that of San Diego (the center of triathlon excellence at the time), the sport in Cayman would develop in a parallel manner. The individual sports of running, cycling and swimming had always been popular on the island, so the introduction of triathlon was a natural development.

Those with a sense of adventure and a desire to compete overseas in marathons and cycling added swimming to their training regime, and in late 1982, a small band of novice triathletes (all 13 of them) first dipped their toes in the Caribbean sea at Pageant Beach for the inaugural Budweiser / Nautilus, Cayman Triathlon. The race distance of a 1mile swim, 40 mile bike and 8 mile run proved to be somewhat of a struggle in the high humidity but everybody finished and the event was a definite success. This triathlon was repeated in 1983 and 1984, and now included visitors from California and Florida in the line-up. In 1983, a couple of residents inspired by Julie Moss' heroic Kona race the previous year were fortunate enough to complete the Ironman in Hawaii, and over the next few years, various local Triathletes made the trip to the Big Island. 1983 also saw the first local ‘ladies only’ triathlon held in Grand Cayman.

Today, the CITA is an organized, non-profit organization, and a member of PATCO and the ITU. The above race has turned into the Bank of Butterfield Triathlon, an Olympic distance event that has grown from those first 13 participants to over 200, a significant amount for an Island with a population of 40,000. The Association puts on 20 races a year, and many of its members also compete in triathlons throughout Canada, USA and Europe. Having established itself firmly with-in the Cayman Islands sporting community, the CITA boasts a strong executive committee comprised of voluneering professionals, who are also devoted and experienced Triathletes. Adopting a mission statement and strategic plan, the CITA continues to promote and develop multi-sport in the Cayman Islands.