Previous Story
XTERRA Saipan veteran leads Tinian MTB race finishers
South Korea’s Kaon Cho, third left, poses with Pika Festival 65K MTB Race participants and organizers after ruling the event last Saturday on Tinian.(Contributed Photo)
Perennial XTERRA Saipan participant Kaon Cho of South Korea topped the Pika Festival 65K MTB Race held last Saturday on Tinian.
Cho, who was ranked eighth in last year’s Crown Jewel, made it to the finish line at 2:24:37 to set a course record and beat the 41 other Tinian and Saipan bikers who joined the weekend race. The Korean triathlete returned to the start/finish line at the Kammer Beach Fiesta ground more than two minutes ahead of Saipan’s Jerome Diyco, who clocked in at 2:41:26. Nap Dizon joined Cho and Diyco in the Top 3 in the men’s Open division after submitting 2:43:30.
In the women’s Open division, the host’s very own Kimberlyn King-Hinds was the first finisher after recording 2:57:33. She was the lone female rider to complete the course under the three-hour mark, as Saipan’s Angel Marie Tan and Susan Marchitti registered 3:21:49 and 3:26:45, respectively, to place second and third.
The Top 3 finishers in the Open division and four other categories received medals and other in-kind prizes.
In the men’s 46-and-above age group, Saipan’s John Arceo won the gold medal after clocking in at 2:48:06 and beating fellow Saipan rider Cesar Fortaleza (2:49:376) and Tinian’s Norlo Jacosalem (2:51:42).
In the men’s 36 to 45 division, Tinian’s Charlie Cabreros prevailed against two Saipan riders. Cabreros posted 2:49:36 to edge Dencio Bautista and Ricky Suba, who tallied 2:53:59 and 3:12:34, respectively.
In the men’s 35 and below age group, Saipan had a 1-2 finish with Rhenmar Remillosa winning the division with his 2:49:29 and Kenji Matias coming in next with his 2:49:33. Tinian’s John Rick Libut rounded out the Top 3 after logging 2:57:07, while Felicia Reynolds was the champion in the women’s division after completing the race in 3:19:26.
Meanwhile, Dizon and Ambet Omampo received the Sportsmanship Award in the race organized by Bikers Association on Tinian president Dawn Sarmiento and vice president Richard Lazaro through the help of Marianas Visitors Authority and Tinian Mayor’s Office.
