87 survive pre-‘Hell’ race

Eighty-seven riders completed the pre-Hell of the Marianas race last Sunday with Lewie Tenorio finishing the 50-kilometer course first.

Tenorio timed in at 1:40:30.03, beating Butch Sublemente (1:40:30.72) in a down-to-the-wire finish at the Pacific Islands Club southern parking lot. Tenorio and Sublemente, who joined the same race last year and placed second and third, respectively, behind Guam’s Jazy Garcia, competed in the men’s road bike division. Rounding out the Top 3 in the road bike category was Aldrin Sta. Ana, who submitted 1:43:39.38.

Nap Dizon came in third overall at 1:42:12.00 and was the winner in the MTB category, beating Charlie Sendin (1:47:52.22) and Noel Altamirano (1:50:12.41).

In the women’s division, Joann Salazar was the top finisher and reigned in the MTB division after clocking in at 2:18:49.15. Maricel Krud and Susan Marchitti completed the Top 3 after timing in at 2:21:19.38 and 2:28:57.41, respectively.

In the road bike category, Heather Kennedy posted 2:00:18.69 to prevail over Kimiko Hasegawa (2:23:06.59) and Angie Mister (2:23:50.81).

Last Sunday’s event aimed at preparing local riders for the 2011 Hell of the Marianas Century Cycle Race set for Dec. 3. The race started and ended at the PIC parking lot in San Antonio with bikers heading to the northern side of the island up to the Radar Tower and turning back to go down Capital Hill and back to the starting line via Beach Road.

Meanwhile, organizers of the Hell of the Marianas are still on going and deadline is set for Nov. 25.

The race will have both the MTB and road bike categories. Participants are then allowed to enter in the solo open division and four age groups (16 to 25, 26 to 35, 36 to 45, 46 to 55, and over 56). For the team event, riders can compete in the two-person or four-person divisions. Organizers also added a new category, TEAM 200, which is for three to four riders with a combine age of 200 or more.

Bikers in the U14 age group will be allowed to enter the race, provided they can finish the 100-km event in six hours, had already completed the 50-km pre-Hell race within three hours, and will ride alongside a guardian or parent.

Registration for individual race is $35 for NMITF member and $40 for non. For the two-person, entry fees are $75 per squad for NMITF members and $80 for non. For the four-person relay, registrations fees are $140 for NMITF members and $160 for non.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the Top 3 finishers in the solo men’s and women’s races.

To register or for more information, contact PIC frontdesk at 237-5148.