Tagaman preparations stay on target

Representatives from businesses throughout the CNMI met in the conference room of the Marianas Visitors Authority yesterday to discuss the details associated with another successful running of next April’s 16th Annual Tagaman Triathlon.

A number of topics ranging from possible discounted room stays to the offering of complimentary fishing trips to participants were discussed in the MVA HQ, and though the final arrangements for many of the newly conceived activities need to completed before they are ready to be released, organizers are optimistic that this year’s competitors will receive more out of their experience than ever before.

After making a change to the bicycle course to eliminate the turnaround at the Grotto, the organizers have made the new map available to the public. The course had been altered due to the dilapidated condition of the circular drive of the local landmark.

“The road is just not in the proper condition for the athletes to avail of the unique geography. It’s due to the weather, age, but mainly caused by the salt water that comes off the divers when they walk to their car. After a while, that stuff eats away at the road and we just can’t use it next year,” said vice president of Taga Inc, Wolf Mojica.

The committee also focused on the selection of dates and activities for the Saipan Sports Fest, which encompasses both the Tagaman and the 2005 Xterra Saipan Championship. Aside from the list of new events, organizers hope to bring back a number of the popular activities that left a positive impression on the participants of the 2004 race.

Hopes are high that a list of new faces will be participating in this year’s event, and organizers have already begun to secure a number of registrations from aspiring Taga-champs from several countries throughout the region. Another good sign is that local sponsors are returning to support the endurance challenge—which bodes well for the organizers, athletes, and local businesses alike.

Letters have been sent out to all of the prior competitors, and others have answered the call of the 2000-meter swim, 60-kilometer bicycle, and 15-kilometer run of Saipan’s event, and organizers promised to release more of the high-profile names in the weeks that follow.

A total of 144 racers showed up at the starting line for the multi-sport showcase in 2004, and organizers believe that 2005 will be even better—in part because of the increased homegrown interest.

The group will next meet to discuss their progress in two weeks, and will have a reunion with the president of Taga Inc. in February, as they expect the return of local sports pioneer Bill Sakovich from Hawaii.