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Miyazuka tops Tinian Turquoise Blue, again
For the second consecutive year, Hideya Miyazuka bested all other competitors from Japan and the Northern Mariana Islands to top the annual Tinian Turquoise Blue held last Feb. 14.
The Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon was held on Feb. 14, 2015, in the Northern Mariana Islands. (Contributed Photo)
The 50-year-old Japanese competitor, a multiple champion in the triathlon and a familiar face on the race circuit in the Northern Marianas, finished the course in 2:41:07, beating his 2014 time of 2:42:13. He was followed by Peter Prestley of Saipan (2:48:19) and Yasunori Sugimura of Japan (2:48:51). The top female finishers were Kimiko McKagan (3:13:12), Kaitlin Mattos (3:20:30), and Lorie Hutchinson (3:29:34), all of Saipan.
“True to its name, this year’s 15th Annual Tinian Turquoise Blue was held under clear blue skies,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects manager Martin Duenas. “After a tough race, many of the participants were happy to relax at the Tinian Hot Pepper Festival at Taga Beach.”
The Reef Swim portion of the event attracted six competitors. Syoji Yamashita of Japan was the lone competitor in the 1.5K swim, finishing in 1:03:49. Akie Matoba of Japan took top honors in the 3K course with a time of 1:01:15, while the event’s oldest competitor, 71-year-old Kazumi Mineo of Japan placed 2nd in the 3K swim (1:06:12).
The Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon and Reef Swim are part of a series of sports-oriented signature events staged each year by the MVA. The next events will be the 26th Annual Tagaman Triathlon on March 22, XTERRA Saipan Championship on March 28, and Saipan Marathon on April 25, 2015. For more information, visit the MVA Events Calendar at www.mymarianas.com. (MVA)
