TRAC looks forward to Marianas Cup

Triathlon Association of the CNMI president Manny Sitchon starts the bike portion of the Mini Games triathlon tryout last Dec. 4 at Paupau Beach. (MARK RABAGO)

Triathlon Association of the CNMI fully supports the call for the establishment of an annual CNMI-Guam competition for all sports patterned after the soccer federation’s Marianas Cup.
TRAC president Manny Sitchon said the Northern Marianas Sports Association will be hitting two birds with one stone with the Marianas Cup format.

“This is really a good program for sporting events. We will not only improve our relationship with our counterparts in Guam, but we will also keep our athletes motivated because the Marianas Cup will be a yearly thing.”

He added that the CNMI used to host triathlon, biking, basketball, and other sports competitions with their neighbors from the south and the planned Marianas Cup would be a great idea to revive the tradition.

“They will always be looking forward for something to compete in. They will really be motivated to train because they have something like the Marianas Cup to look forward to. Athletes take a long time to improve if there’s no motivation like upcoming competitions. This is so far one of the best proposals from NMSA and most athletes are for sure looking forward to this event,” said Sitchon.

Duathlon tomorrow

TRAC will host its first event of the 2022 with the 6th Saipan Duathlon set for tomorrow in Marpi.

The 5-kilometer run, 20-km bike, and 2.5-km run will start at Banzai Cliff with a 5:30am opening of the transition site and a 6:15am gun start (depending on the sunrise).

The course distance will be uniform for the men’s, women’s, and mixed relay divisions of and road bikes, mountain bikes, and fixies are all allowed.

TRAC said there will be prizes and medals for Top 3 male and female individual winners. IT&E is the main sponsor of the 6th Saipan Duathlon.

Registration fee is $25 for individuals and $50 for teams. TRAC also reminded everyone that there will be a processing fee upon registration and checkout.

Proceeds from TRAC’s 6th Saipan Duathlon will go to the sport federation’s preparations for the triathlon event of this year’s Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022 that the CNMI will be hosting for the very first time.

For more information, call TRAC president Manny Sitchon at (670) 483-0094 or email swimbikerun.saipan@gmail.com. Registration for the 6th Saipan Duathlon opened last Dec. 1. To register, cut and paste https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=261872&fbclid=IwAR0XwZrpj9kwOmL7BThs2Jv9Ug5F5oDKika4LCrgFX6WSwDdXallbwHAJjs to your browser.