Ironman, Saipan Marathon featured in Hong Kong expo

The Marianas Visitors Authority participates in the 7th Sports Expo in Hong Kong from Aug. 17 to 19 to promote Ironman 70.3 Saipan, Saipan Marathon, and other sports activities in The Marianas. (Contributed Photo)

Sporting events in The Marianas was at the forefront of the Marianas Visitors Authority’s recent participation in a Hong Kong Expo.

The MVA joined the 7th Sports Expo at the Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre held from Aug. 17 to 19 with the event attracting over 100,000 expo visitors and more than 200 exhibitors.

“Sports tourism is a key part of attracting visitors and media attention to The Marianas, and we definitely have a lot to offer to the athletes,” said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “This is the first sports expo the MVA has participated in a very long time, and we took the opportunity to highlight two upcoming events in particular, the Ironman 70.3 Saipan that will be held on Oct. 27, 2018 and Saipan Marathon on Mar. 9, 2019.”

The Ironman 70.3 Saipan is one of a series of long distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation. It features a 1.2-mile (1.9K) swim, a 56-mile (90K) bike ride, and a 13.1-mile (21.1K) run. This year’s Ironman 70.3 Saipan will offer 30 age qualifying slots for the 2019 Ironman 70.3 World Championship that will be held in Nice, France.

This year’s race will also feature a new course. The race will begin with the swim course of two loops in the crystal-clear waters off Micro Beach at the American Memorial Park, which will also be the transition site for the three-loop bike route to the quiet nature and historic and scenic sites of Marpi. The mainly flat, two-loop run course follows the western lagoon of the island from Micro Beach to the MVA office in San Jose and back.

Saipan Marathon, on the other hand, draws hundreds of runners and they race in 10K, half marathon, marathon, and ultra marathon (50K) events.

Meanwhile, in addition to distributing information on The Marianas to consumers and media, the MVA received registration for four Ironman competitors. Information on other sports opportunities, such as diving, was also shared.

Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre is situated in one of the key commercial areas in Hong Kong. Exhibitors included national and state tourism offices, travel agencies, and other travel trade representatives. Over 30 lectures and workshops engaged attendees in various sports topics and demonstrations.

Besides Ironman Saipan and Saipan Marathon, other annual signature events of the MVA related to sports are Tagaman Triathlon, Hell of The Marianas, Rota Coffee Trail Run, and KONQER Saipan. (PR)