NMITF ready to Entice rookies

The clock is ticking and excuse bucket is dripping, as the Northern Marianas Islands Triathlon Federation is just three days away from hosting the first event of the season with this weekend’s kickoff of the 2005 Enticer/Sprint Triathlon Series.

The CNMI is quickly becoming one of the regional leaders in the world of multisport, and the NMITF is looking to invite the next generation of triathletes to test the waters this Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Kan-Pacific Pool in Marpi.

Whether your goal is to get fit or to try something new, the first race of the series begins at 8:30am, and according to series director Sue Knecht, there are no excuses for missing the event.

“If you need a bike, a helmet, goggles, babysitter, etc, send me a note and we’ll do our best to get you out on the course. No excuses,” she said.

The distances are designed to let the first timers get a taste of all three events with a 200 meter swim, 4-km bike ride, and 1-km run on Saipan’s northern end.

After completing the race, the rookies can meet with some of the veterans who will gladly offer advice and exchange their experiences.

The series is designed to gradually increase the distances of the monthly races so that the new racers will be fully prepared for the Rota Blue Triathlon on Saturday, Nov. 19 on the “delicious, beautiful, romantic, and friendly”s island of Rota.

The Enticer/Sprint Series events are limited to participants 14 years of age or older, and those between the ages of 14-18 must have a signed parental consent.

Aspiring young racers will not be left empty handed, as the Kids TRYathlon Series returns in hopes of getting tomorrow’s Marceau’s prepared for the Winter/Spring TRYathlon Point Series in January, and onto the Tagakids Championship Race.

The kids will get their chance at racing immediately following the adult race. The whole family can participate as all of the children under 11-years of age will get the day started while the kids between 11 and 14 will race alongside the adult race beginning at 8am.

The Tykes and Trikes division will challenge kids younger than five years of age to complete a 20-m swim, two laps around the pool on their bicycle, tricycle, or big wheel, and a one lap around the pool run.

The course gets a little tougher for the older boys and girls as the 8-and-under division event consists of a 50m swim, a 2km bike, and a .5km run.

The 9-10 year olds will double the distances in their division, while the 11-12 and 13-14 age groups will swim 200m, traverse the 4km bike course, and run 1km.

If going solo seems a little intimidating, the NMITF also offers the “Bring a friend and TRYathlon together,” where experienced young triathletes are encouraged to bring a first timer out to the course.

“One person swims, the other bikes, both run together. Anyone can participate, but Prizes will be raffled for anyone who brings a newbie,” said race director Sue Knecht.

Whether this is the first time for your little racer to participate or not, it is important that all entrants arrive to the Kan-Pacific Pool 45 minutes prior to race times to ensure you hear the pre-race briefings.

As with all of the NMITF events, safety is the first and foremost priority, and all participants are required to wear helmets while competing on the bike course.

The cost to participate in the race is Kids TRYathlon Series is $5 per person, per event, and the Sprint/Enticer races is $5 for NMITF members and $10 for non-members. The cost of an annual membership is $25. To pre-registration for the races, send your intentions to sueknecht1@yahoo.com.