140 register for Tagaman Triathlon

One-hundred-forty athletes from 11 countries have signed up for the 30th Tagaman Triathlon set for March 30.

Sixty-one athletes from Korea, 30 from The Marianas, 19 from Japan, 17 from Guam, and additional entries from Spain, the Netherlands, the Philippines, and Hong Kong are slated to take the starting line. Registrants include back-to-back champion Manami Iijima of Guam and other past winners, including inaugural Tagaman runner-up and three-time champion Hideya Miyazuka of Japan.

“March is going to be a busy month for athletes in The Marianas with Saipan Marathon on March 9 and Tagaman Triathlon on March 30, not to mention other shorter races like the Triple J 5K Bubble Run,” said Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “As a sports tourism destination, one of the great attractions of The Marianas is that there is almost always some type of sporting or exercise event available for our visitors to participate in every week, whether they be world-class athletes or a family with young children. We thank all of this year’s Tagaman sponsors for joining with the MVA and Triathlon Association of the CNMI in making this year’s event possible. We invite all the community to post their sporting and exercise events on The Marianas Calendar at www.mymariansa.com so visitors can join in and have fun, too.”

Registration is available online at www.saipantriathlon.com and the last day to sign up is March 28.

“We have prepared an Olympic distance triathlon on March 16 at Paupau Beach, the last series of races of IT&E Road to Tagaman to fine-tune the preparation of our local triathletes,” said TRAC president Ricky Castro.

Joining title sponsor MVA as major sponsors are Kanoa Resort Saipan (official hotel of the 30th anniversary) IT&E, Neo System (as the official timer), KFC Triathlon Club of Japan, PDI, Triple J Ent., ELand, and Tri Tour of Korea. Additional sponsors are TanHoldings, DFS Saipan Ltd., Hyatt Regency Saipan, MARPAC, Joeten Enterprises, Brabu Pharmacy and Wellness Center, Saipan Ice & Water, Bridge Capital LLC, Fiesta Resort Saipan, Marianas Medical Center, Saipan Shipping, JET Holdings, Let’s Go Tour, and Seiko Swim gear.

With its 2K swim, 60K bike, and 15K run races, Tagaman is named after the ancient indigenous Chamorro chief Taga, renowned for his legendary feats of strength. Tagaman welcomes athletes of all levels and ages. Drivers are urged to exercise caution on race day. The starting point and swim leg will be at Minachom Atdao pavilion in Susupe. Bikers will transition at Kilili Pavilion parking lot in Susupe, head south to Airport Roard, north to Banzai Cliff, and back south to Minatchom Atdao pavilion for the finish line.

Cash prizes await the Top 3 finishers in the women’s and men’s open categories: $1,000 for first place, $700 for second, and $500 for third. Medals will be awarded for the age group division, team and individual finishers. (PR)