Rota Blue Triathlon on Nov. 12

The Marianas Visitors Authority, Kiyokazu Fitness Club of Japan, and the Rota Mayor’s Office are preparing to receive an international contingent of athletes for the 18th Annual Rota Blue Triathlon on Nov. 12, 2011.

Triathletes from Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Guam, and Japan are expected to take part in the annual event.

The triathlon features two distances: an A-type half marathon distance, which includes a 1.5-kilometer swim, followed by a 40-km rigorous biking course, and a 10-km run (no time limit); and the B-type Olympic distance, which includes a 2-km swim, followed by a 90-km biking course, and topped off with a 21-km run (eight-hour time limit).

For team competitors, there will also be triathlon of the A-type distance, again with no time limit.

Starting time for both distances is 6:30am at Rota’s East Harbor. Wetsuits are permitted, while bike helmets are required. Registration fees are $80 for A-type course solo competitors and $70 for each member in a team. The fee for the B-type course is $100. The entry fee includes and event t-shirt, high-quality swim cap, and an invitation to the awards banquet at East Harbor.

Pre- registration will be held on Nov. 11, 2011, from 11am to 12:30pm at the Bay Breeze Restaurant & Bar. The swim course inspection will be held the same day from 1pm to 2pm at the East Harbor.

Final registration will take place that evening from 4:30pm to 8pm at Rota Resort & Country Club’s Sunset BBQ Tiki Tiki. The pre-race briefing for all participants will be held that evening from 6pm to 7:30pm. The awards banquet will be held after the race at 6:30pm at East Harbor.

“Participation increases yearly because of the friendly environment the people of Rota create for our visitors,” said MVA Community Projects manager Martin Duenas. “Rota is beginning to enjoy some notoriety as a prime travel destination,” he added, noting that the event benefits everyone in Rota, especially the business community.

The mayor also stated that a majority of the athletes visiting the island because of the triathlon show strong interest in returning.

The Rota Blue Triathlon is an annual signature event of the MVA, aimed at attracting visitors to the southern-most island in the Northern Mariana Islands chain. The annual event is widely anticipated by and supported by the local community.

For more information about the annual triathlon, contact Frank Tudela at 664-3200/01 or ftudela@mymarianas.com, or contact Sandra Atalig at the MVA Rota office at 532-0327. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]