Hell of Marianas to kick off on Dec. 6

This year’s Hell of the Marianas will be held on Dec. 6, giving riders about four months to train and cruise along the flat and hilly courses on the island before the grueling 100k race kicks off.

The Inaugural Hell of Marianas took place in October last year with Eli Torgeson finishing ahead of more than 50 riders, completing the race in three hours, 20 minutes, and 33 seconds.

Guam’s Fred Gray and Derek Horton finished second and third with times of 3:23:59 and 3:25:50, respectively.

Susan Seay ruled the women’s division, completing the race in 3:51:33, followed by Kimiko Hasegawa (4:28:46) and Mylene Garcia (5:17:09).

In the team categories, Last Minute Entry (4:13:02) and the Beezleburs Bikers (4:22:31) won the two and four-person competitions, respectively.

Jack Kabiriel prevailed in the shorter 50km race, posting 1:47:35.

This year’s Hell of Marianas will not hold competition in the 50km race and instead will have the 100km individual event divided into two divisions, namely the road and mountain bike categories.

The race will still have team events with participants allow to compete in the two-person and four-man races.

“If one team member rides a road bike, then the team entry must fall under the road bike category. We will endeavor to provide different medals for each individual mountain bike category, however winners in the mountain and road bike team categories will only be given medals for first, second, and third in both the men and women’s divisions,” said PIC’s Kanae Quinn.

Cash prizes and other perks await winners in the individual race with the top finisher in the men’s and women’s division taking home $1,000 and a five-day, four-night stay for two at PIC Saipan. Second placer will get $350 and a two-day/one-night stay for two at PIC Guam, while the third finisher will win $250 and a two-day/one-night stay for two at PIC Saipan.

Meanwhile, PIC will be hosting a 50km race on Oct. 19 to familiarize riders on the Hell of the Marianas course.

The course will begin at PIC and end at the top of radar in As Matuis. Since this is a warm-up and informal race, support crew and aid stations will not be provided.

Riders who do not wish to ride back to PIC are asked to arrange for their own transportation from Radar Station to their final destination.

The 50km race will start at 6am.

For more information, contact Quinn at 234-7976, extension 5130 or email at kanaequinn@yahoo.com or Kieran Daly at gm@picsaipan.com.