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Triathletes ready for Micro Games
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Posted on Mar 04 2006
While organizers are feverishly planning to host 1,200-1,500 athletes and their families, coaches, and trainers this summer during the 6th Micronesian Games, the heads of local athletic associations are making preparations to organize their individual sports.
According to Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation president Dirk Sharer, the multi-sport portion of the Games is scheduled for the morning of June 27, Tuesday, at Pau Pau Beach
Sharer said that the CNMI will most likely be joined by endurance aficionados from Guam and Palau and that he expects to host no more than 18 participants during the Games.
While there are still a few months before any of the triathletes take to the water for the start of the three stage races, Sharer has already begun the search for volunteers.
“Although it is early, I’d like those who will be on island to send me a brief “yes I can volunteer note.”
Unfortunately, one of the most active NMITF members will be unavailable to help out as Sue Knecht will be off-island, so the mavens of multi-sport are looking to the public to help ensure the safety of all participants.
While the course has not been made official, NMITF planners have tentatively set the course with two 750-meter laps in the Pau Pau lagoon followed by two laps on the bike that will take riders out to Bird Island Lookout, Grotto, Banzai, and back to La Fiesta before returning to Pau Pau for the final transition to the 10-kilometer run out past the Last Command Post and back.
“We will need timers at Pau Pau, hydration at Bird Island, people to direct to Grotto and Banzai to return,” said Sharer.
The president also said that he thinks that additional water stops will be needed at the base of the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool driveway and at the 5-km turnaround on the run course.
Since the Saipan Swim Club will also be hosting events in the Marpi tank on that day, some of the swim SSC parents who normally lend a hand might be unable to participate.
