10th Tagaman Triathlon all set • Annual sports event draws over 100 participants

One hundred thirteen participants from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, Boston, Anchorage, Hawaii, Guam, Rota and Saipan will take part on Saturday’s 10th Tagaman Triathlon competition, organizers said.

For the first time, two triathletes from the Philippines will join the annual sporting event, namely Abelardo Alon-Alon and Mauro Gonzales.

Scott Penny, former president of the Cairns Triathlon Club and participant in recent world triathlon championships is also coming for his first visit. Steve Allen and Rebecca Moore have come up from Sydney, and Ulandt and Pauline Kim have flown out from Boston to participate in the 10th Tagaman Triathlon.

Guam’s Nancy Hawkins and Ken Aguilar will also compete, as well as Rota’s contingent of Jose M. Santos, Rai Manglona, Henry Manglona, Rudy Santos and Ed Barcinas.

Brigid O’Meara will return to defend her title in the women’s division, 2nd place finisher from Japan, Yuji Fujiwara, and third place finisher Stephen Farrell from New Zealand will probably battle it out for the top spot, along with athletes from Saipan, Australia and the Philippines.

The last year’s winner in the men’s division, Hideya Miyuzuka, will not be taking part.

Pre-registration will take place in the Hafa Adai Beach Hotel Lobby from 1:00-5:00 p.m. on May 14, 1999, while the Bike Inspection will take place in the parking lot during the same time. The course orientation will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the HBH Garden and the Carbo Party from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Fiesta Hall.

On Saturday, May 15th, the start of the Tagaman Triathlon will be at 5:30 a.m. with final registration from 3:30-5:30 a.m. in the Fiesta Hall at the Hafa Adai Beach Hotel. The awards banquet will be held in the garden of the Hafa Adai Beach Hotel at 6:30 p.m..

There will be a special training session for all off-island participants to practice along the Beach Road Course from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 14th, and the south-bound lane between Micro Corporation and Quartermaster Road may be closed. The rest of the Beach Road will remain open on Friday, but motorists are encouraged to drive extremely careful all day Friday as many guest athletes will be on island familiarizing themselves with the Tagaman course.

On Saturday, the entire Beach Road, from PIC to the Garapan Police Station will be closed from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. for the Tagaman bikers. Limited access will be allowed across Beach Road but not on to Beach Road.

The south-bound lane will remain closed from Diamond Hotel to the Garapan Police Station until about 11:30 a.m. The organizers apologize for the inconvenience and thank you all for your cooperation.

The organizers would like to encourage the public to come out on Saturday morning and cheer the athletes and support the over 400 volunteers who are making the 10th anniversary a success.