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Miyazuka tops 12th Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon
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Posted on Jun 14 2012
A pack of 33 swimmers, runners, and bikers from Japan competed in the 12th Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon and Reef Swim held last June 2 with Hidea Miyazuka repeating his winning form of 2011 to finish as champion.
Forty-nine-year-old Miyazuka completed the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-km run, and 10-km bike in 2:30:40.
Rounding out the top male finishers were Katsumasa Nesori in 3:30:39 and Shohei Shibata in 3:33:30.
Female finishers in the triathlon were led by Satomi Okochi in 3:07:15, followed by Yoko Mineo in 3:31:30 and Midori Takeuchi in 3:35:02.
Making a celebrity showing this year was Japan model Kaori Ikeda, who finished the full triathlon in 3:59:47. The event was also covered by Japan’s Triathlon Magazine.
Some competitors opted for only the reef swim. The 1.5-km route was capped by female competitor Noriko Ito in 31:55, edging out the top male competitors of Shoji Yamashita (32:45), Yoshio Shimizu (34:00), and Kohki Kaneko (38:56). Ito was followed by female competitors Satsuki Matsuo (41:18) and Mioko Koda (46:16).
The oldest event competitor, 72-year-old Midori Hasegawa, finished the 1-km reef swim in 47:13.
The 3-km reef swim went to all female finishers first: Riko Nagashima (56:02), Akie Matoba (1:03:31), and Chiyomi Tanaka (1:03:48). Only two males competed in the 13-swimmer 3-km pack, with 68-year-old Kazumi Mineo finishing first for the men and fifth overall in 1:08:34.
“This year’s triathlon went off without a hitch, to the great satisfaction of our competitors who travelled all the way from Japan to enjoy the competition,î said Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects manager Martin Duenas. “We’re very grateful to the Tinian Mayor’s Office, Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, and the Tinian community for rolling out the red carpet of hospitality to our visitors again this year.”
The event was also organized by KFC Triathlon Club of Japan. The Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon and Reef Swim is an annual signature event of the Northern Mariana Islands held each June. (MVA)
