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Off-road duathlon, trail run races tomorrow
Emily Northtrop, right, and Heather Taylor navigate the trail bike course in the Marpi area during last year’s IT&E Duathlon and Trail Run. (Contributed Photo)
The IT&E Duathlon and Trail Run is scheduled for tomorrow and registration will still be accepted on the day of the event.
Triathlon Association of the CNMI president Ricky Castro sees a tough competition both in the trail run and individual duathlon races.
“The competition in the 6-kilometer run is stiff with the entry of the top winners last year and young runners on island. It’s the same thing with individual duathlon, while we also expect some competition in the team relays,” Castro said.
He added that registration is still welcome this Saturday before the start of the event, which is for avid runners and off-road enthusiasts.
“We may accept registration on race day but with an increase fee of $10,” Castro said.
Race number distribution starts at 5:30am at the Last Command Post in Marpi and the gun start will be at 6:15am.
The run course will cover the Unai Laggua Drive, Banzai Trail, and Banzai Cliff with the start and end point at the Last Command Post. For the duathlon, the 20K bike portion will require riders to past through FEBC, Ayuyu and Binadu drive, Million Gallon Tank, As Matuis (no Radar Station), Kalabera Road, Bird Island (no Auto Bahn), Santa Clause Trail, Banzail Trail, and Banzai Cliff before they head back to the start/finish line at Last Command Post. For the 2.5K run of the duathlon, runners will leave the Last Command Post and head to hair pin curve before going back to the start/finish line.
Interested participants can register under the 6K trail run male/female; duathlon individual (male; female); duathlon team (male), and duathlon team (mixed). Prizes include medals and gift certificates, Hell of the Marianas entry, and goodies for the Top 3 in each category. Non-winners will receive medals for completing the course.
“We are grateful to our partners who always support our events like IT&E, the title sponsor, Kanoa Resort for the prizes, Gatorade as the official power drink, the NMI Cycling Federation, and Aloha Maid,” said Castro.
