Quinn enjoyed Tough Love

While runners will have their shot to trek to Mount Tapo-chau next month via Capital Hill during the Turkey Trot, a rowdy band of bikers took the peak from the Navy Hill side of town on Saturday during the first Tough Love Mountain Bike Race.

The race was the brainchild of Russ Quinn, who said that he was pleased with the way the events unfolded as 25 riders left the comforts of their beds for the 7am race from the American Memorial Park Pavilion to the top of Saipan.

“I am very happy with the race. There were no injuries and I have received great feedback from people who did it. I have even had people that missed this year’s race commit to next year’s. We have a fairly decent size group of mountain bike enthusiasts here in Saipan, and I wanted to organize something that would appeal to various groups,” he said.

Quinn has some experience organizing races as a previous head of the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation and member of the Tagaman Organizing Committee, and he said that the race has a future on Saipan.

“For a first time race, I am very happy with the turnout. It is not an easy course, yet we had a wide variety of experienced riders. I believe this is an event that has staying power, similar to the Turkey Trot. The race definitely lived up to its name ‘Tough Love,’” he said.

According to Quinn, the race was so popular that a number of adventure seekers are already interested in holding a similar event in the not so distant future.

“I think we found some excitement in this race. I have already heard rumors on other individuals wanting to organize races. There aren’t any firm dates, but early December looks like a time frame for the next race,” he said.

While he has the skills to put an event together, Quinn didn’t organize the Tough Love alone as community members turned out to ensure the riders’ safety at the intersections and along the coral road to the top.

“The volunteers were awesome! How awesome? Well, I was actually able to do the event. There aren’t many events that the race director gets to participate in, but I had confidence in the group that showed up. Sue Knecht has been organizing events like this for awhile, and she took the reins and that really allowed me to feel comfortable in doing the race,” he said.

Aside from the volunteers, Quinn thanked the Pacific Islands Club Saipan for the support the San Antonio resort lent to the race in the form of prizes such as PIC Waterpark passes.

“They are a huge community supporter, and we would not be able to organize events like this without their support,” he said.

Quinn said that one of best aspects of organizing an event is the way that the community works together, and that he hopes that other will be able to share in a similar experience.

“The result was a fun event had by all. It was an easy race to put together, and I encourage everybody to try [organizing one]. The more races the better,” he said.