Watch out for bikers, runners in Tagaman

Organizers of the 2012 Tagaman Triathlon are requesting motorists and pedestrians to be extra careful and give way to bikers and runners before and during the race.

“There will be bikers/runners cruising along the course before the Saturday race, so please be very careful. We’re after everyone’s safety,” said Taga, Inc. president Wolf Mojica in a telephone interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday.

Mojica’s call came a day after one pro biker was hit by a car and had his bike smashed. Fortunately, the visiting pro was unharmed.

Race organizers are calling on the public to be extra cautious on race day, especially from 6am to 12nn. A map of the bike and run course is printed together with this story and the public is advised to drive slowly or avoid these routes this Saturday.

The 60-kilometer bike leg will start in the south end of the Pacific Islands Club’s parking lot in San Antonio after the 2-km swim in the waters off PIC. After the swim, bikers will head to Koblerville and then return to San Antonio all the way to the Bird Island Lookout with riders also passing through Banzai and Suicide Cliffs.

“Dog owners in Koblerville, please take care of your pets,” Mojica added.

After the bike race, triathletes will head to the American Memorial Park for the bike-run transition. Then for the final leg of the race, the 15-km run, participants will cruise Beach Road up to Oleai Beach, return to AMP (turning point is near the Army Reserve), and then to the finish line at the side entrance of Hyatt Regency Saipan.

Over 100 entries

This Saturday’s Tagaman race has attracted over 100 participants, including several pros who did last weekend’s 2012 XTERRA Saipan Championship.

Mojica added that about 10 Guam triathletes are also returning for Tagaman, while 12 Koreans and five Japanese are entered in this weekend’s road race.

Participants are requested to pick up their race packet tomorrow from 3pm to 5pm at PIC.

Then on Saturday, triathletes must check-in on or before 5:30am, as the race will begin at 6am.

Swim clinic

Meanwhile, XTERRA Saipan winner Ben Allen of Australia will be holding an open water swim clinic at PIC today at 5pm.

The free clinic is one of the two-pre Tagaman seminars that the visiting pros are conducting. Last Tuesday, U.S. pro Will Kelsay conducted a bike clinic at PIC.

“Please take this opportunity to show your support for our off-island athletes and take advantage of a great chance to be taught by the pros,” Mojica said in an email to local triathletes.