Bike For Life to push through

Organizers of the Bike For Life will push through with the 50-kilometer race at 6am tomorrow with the start and finish line at the south parking lot of the Pacific Islands Club Saipan in San Antonio.

A group of riders pedal along the road near Coral Ocean Golf Resort in one of several bicycle racing events held on Saipan. Cyclists will again litter the streets of Saipan on Saturday for the Bike For Life charity event. (Jon Perez)

“We’re expecting a pretty good turnout. We’re hoping the weather cooperates but the bike race will move forward,” said PIC Sports Entertainment and Activities director Glenn Policare.

The annual event has been one of the races that attracts local bikers with some using it as a warp up for the Hell of the Marianas in December.

The low price bike race, with a $10 registration fee that includes a continental breakfast, is a fundraising event where proceeds will go to the Commonwealth Cancer Association.

“The race is one of PIC’s events that has been a huge success. It is important for us to continue with community and charity events like this. PIC has always supported the community,” added Policare.

The race is divided in the mountain bike and road bike events in both male and female divisions. Bicycles used for triathlon races will be allowed provided that riders won’t use tribars for safery purposes.

A minimum of 16-spoke wheels and mountain bike tires must be at least 1.6 inches or larger in width, and 1.5 inches or less for road bikes are also required by race organizers. A parent or guardian’s consent form must also be signed if the participant is under the age of 18.

The race route starts at PIC’s south parking lot and head toward Airport and Tun Herman Pan roads before turning right to Isa Drive where riders continue down to in Capitol Hill.

From Capitol Hill bikers will turn right to Chalan Pale Arnold and go to Wing Beach where the U-turn slot is located. From Wing Beach they will head back to Beach Road until they reach the finish line at PIC.

Last year, veteran Nap Dizon bested youth riders Erico Castro and Jerome Diyco in the road bike event. Castro and Diyco finished second and third.

George De Guzman topped the MTB division while Edwin Morales and Noel Altamirano settled for second and third, respectively.

Jacklyn Van Natta won a two-cornered fight against Lynn Tenorio in the female MTB category, while Susan Marchitti bested Beth Kohnon in the road bike.

Pepsi, Monster, Calvo’s Insurance, and IT&E are also supporting the event that will give out medals and other prizes to the top three male and female riders.

For more information, call Dennis Tababa at 237-5147 or email dennis.tababa@picsaipan.com.