Off-road rumble returns to Marpi

With less than a month remaining before the 2006 XTERRA Saipan Championship and the 17th Tagaman Triathlon, the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation is holding an off-road race as a tune up for the biggest multisport events in the CNMI.

The Off-Road Adventure XTERRA Type Extreme Race Event IV (ORAXTERE) will offer swimmers, bikers, and runners the challenge at all three sports this March 26 at the Northern end of Saipan, in a little more than half the distance of the XTERRA.

The race with the oft-changing name evolved once again this year as the federation put a slight twist to the title by naming the challenge the Ely Wong—ORAXTERE or EWORAXTERE, and donating all proceeds from the race to the Wongs in order to help them with their medical expenses.

The race was originally scheduled to go off on Saturday, March 18, but event coordinator Sue Knecht said that the change was due to the international swim meet on the same weekend and that a number of would-be participants indicated that they would participate if the race were on a Sunday.

Last year, 42 participants signed up to race around the rugged course, and this time around organizers have planned another extreme course, which starts with a 1.2-kilometer swim in the Pau Pau Lagoon, followed by a roughly 20-25-km mountain bike ride, and a 5-km trail run course.

The event is not limited to individuals, as teams are welcome to compete, though they cannot win the coveted “World’s Heaviest Trophy”.

According to Knecht, rookies need not fear the race and teams are both welcome and encouraged to take part in the off-road affair. In keeping with tradition, participants have the opportunity to vie for the “World’s Heaviest Trophy,” and there will also be an assortment of winnings for the winners as well.

“Great new prizes just came in, so don’t miss it,” said Knecht

The competition is meant to be fun, challenging, and open to all interested participants. Pre-registration is encouraged at sueknecht1@yahoo.com or at Saipan Bike Pro, but race day registration will take place at 6:15am along Pau Pau Beach until 6:35am, with a pre-race briefing at 6:45am just before the participants begin the swim portion at 7am.

The cost to participate in the full race course is $5 for NMITF members, $10 for non-members, and $15 for teams. Those opting to simply enjoy the rush of competition on the mountain bike course need pay only a fee of $5.