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All set for first Ironman 70.3 Saipan
Ironman 70.3 Saipan Japanese participant Imai Masaki is seen here in a social media post. (Contributed Photo)
A total of 181 triathletes will compete in the first ever edition of Ironman 70.3 Saipan that is set tomorrow, March 11, all throughout the island.
The Marianas Visitors Authority said the 181 triathletes include 82 from Japan, seven from the mainland USA, 22 from Saipan, 12 from Guam, 28 from Korea, 11 from Hong Kong, six from China, five from Singapore, four from Thailand, and one participant each from Russia, Spain, Vietnam, and Australia.
Ironman Saipan consists of 70.3 grueling miles of consistent action: 1.18 miles of swimming, 55.93 miles of cycling, and 13.10 miles of running all around scenic destinations on Saipan.
MVA managing director Chris Concepcion shared with the media that MVA has been preparing for the event for months.
Concepcion said just bringing the global Ironman brand to the CNMI is huge.
“The exposure that the CNMI gets for having type of prestigious even in the CNMI is very important,” said Concepcion.
Concepcion has long shared his views as promoting the CNMI as a sports destination along with a resort destination.
“That’s how we want to brand ourselves—as islands of sports and paradise here in the middle of the pacific,” said Concepcion in an earlier interview.
Concepcion indicated that he wishes to have the Ironman as a mainstay in the CNMI and has plans to conduct it annually.
“It is our newest signature event,” he said.
In a random airport encounter, Saipan Tribune was able to run into a participant of Ironman 70.3 Saipan.
Veteran Japanese participant Masaki Imai was particularly excited for the triathlon.
“I am so pumped for joining the Saipan’s first Ironman race,” he said.
Having joined the Ironman for three consecutive years, Iwai told Saipan Tribune that this was his second trip to Saipan since coming here in his high school years.
The Japanese participant said due to busy work schedules, practice was scarce for him back home but that won’t stop him from doing his best.
“I have been training for only three months. I usually train for about six months before competing,” he said.
