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NMITF hosts Taga-tune-up
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Posted on Feb 23 2006
With less than two months remaining before highly trained triathletes descend upon Saipan to participate in the XTERRA Saipan Championship and the Tagaman Triathlon, multi-sport’s local governing body is continuing to ensure that the CNMI’s finest are ready to race the region on home turf.
The Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation is hosting two races tomorrow, Feb. 25, on Saipan’s northernmost training grounds with a Sprint Race and an Olympic-distance challenge in Marpi.
While the XTERRA Saipan Championship will test the multi-sport mavens through the 1.5-kilometer swim in the choppy waters off of Micro Beach, take the bikers on a 30-km trek up to Mt. Tapochau twice, and lead runners along a 12-km jungle trail that passes through bamboo forests, caves, and ravines, the Tagaman will push their endurance to the limits with a 2-km swim behind the Pacific Islands Club, a 60-km bike ride from San Antonio to Bird Island to Garapan, and a grueling 15-km run along the Beach Pathway and through the American Memorial Park.
This weekend’s events will be slightly more tame as the Sprint race consists of a 750-meter swim in the Pau Pau Lagoon, a 20-km bike along the roads in Marpi, and a 5-km run on the north side’s sleepy roads.
The Olympic challengers will face twice as much time and distance on the course, with a 1.5-km swim, a 40-km bike ride, followed by a 10-km run. Registration for both races begins at 6am with a 6:30am go time.
Just like all of the NMITF events, teams are not only welcome but encouraged. According to race director Sue Knecht, the NMITF is requesting that all participants pre-register for either of the races by submitting their intentions to compete and preferred distances via email to sueknecht1@yahoo.com.
Every race requires volunteers, and this weekend’s event is no different. The only change is that race organizers will be offering free races to NMITF members who bring volunteers, and $5 races to non-members who do the same. (Brad E. Ruszala)
