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Shimizu, Halliday leave for Kaike Triathlon
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Posted on Jul 18 2008
Veteran triathletes Maimi Shimizu and Kenneth Halliday yesterday left for Japan where they will represent the CNMI in the 28th Kaike Triathlon set for this coming Sunday, July 20, at Tottori Prefecture.
Shimizu finished second to champion Renata Bucher in the 2008 Tagaman Triathlon last March with a time of 3:30:38.
She was the 16th swimmer out of the water with a time of 34:57, continuously challenged Bucher in the bike (1:49:50) and run (1:05:51) portions of the race to tear the tape 1:22 ahead of the 7th XTERRA Saipan runner-up Mieko Carey.
Tinian transplant Halliday, meanwhile, made the locals proud by coming in third in the 2008 Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon & Reef Swim, crossing the finish line in 2:42:06.
Eli Torgeson was the original choice to represent the CNMI in Kaike after the Commonwealth Health Center anesthesiologist won this year’s Tagaman, but due to scheduling conflicts backed off from the trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Pacific Development Inc. president Yoichi Matsumura wished Shimizu and Halliday good luck in their race this coming Sunday.
“They will also serve as our goodwill ambassadors. The event highlights our fifth year of Tagaman exchange with Kaike,” he said.
Shimizu and Halliday are expected join 800 other triathletes in japan’s oldest multi-discipline race. Their trip to Kaike is sponsored by Taga Inc., DFS Saipan, Pacific Islands Club, Northwest Airlines, Pacific Development, Inc., and the Marianas Visitors Authority.
The Kaike Triathlon is the first triathlon ever held in Japan and began with 52 racers 26 years ago. Over time, the course has expanded to a 3-km swim, 145-km bike and 42.195-km run and entries swelled to nearly 900 the past couple of years.
MVA’s Ed Diaz is joining the group as liaison officer. Hiroko Tajima of PDI, meanwhile, is the coordinating officer and she is already in Japan to meet them at the Osaka airport to Tottori.
