Tinian triathlon and reef swim this June 14

The 9th Annual Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon & Reef Swim will be held next month on the beautiful island of Tinian.

According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, the island’s signature sporting event will unfold off scenic Taga Beach on June 14.

The vigorous and challenging triathlon course starts with a 1.5-kilometer swim and transitions into an extreme 40-km biking experience. The event finishes with a brisk 10-km run.

The weekend sporting extravaganza also returns with the always spectacular Reef Swim this year and like previous editions, organizers will be offering two types of categories—type A which is a 1.5-km swim and type B which is a 3-km swim.

Representatives from Kaike Triathlon and members of the KFC Triathlon Club of Japan already have signed up for the 9th Annual Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon & Reef Swim.

The annual triathlon is supported by the Tinian Mayor’s Office, KFC Triathlon Club of Japan, Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, and MVA.

Organizers said all participants are asked to sign a waiver release form where they need to read and agree on the conditions for the race and agree not to sue race organizers in case of injuries suffered while participating in the event.

Last year, former Saipan resident Stuart Smith won the race with a blistering time of two hours, 23 minutes, and 47 seconds, while Japan’s Hiromi Sato came in third overall to become the women’s top finisher, 2:36:11.

Registration fee for the solo triathlon is $80, while for the team each member needs to pay $60, which is the same amount for the reef swim. Payments are accepted on cash basis only and the final day of payment can be made on Tinian on June 13.

The entrance fee includes an event T-shirt, swim cap, and dinner for the awards party at 6pm at the Taga Beach. The final day of registration will be on June 13 from 5pm to 8pm at the poolside of the Tinian Dynasty.

A pre-race briefing will also be held on June 13 from 6pm to 7pm also at the poolside.

Those interested can pick up an application form at the MVA office from 8am to 5pm. Participants will receive a T-shirt along with an invitation to the awards banquet.

For more information about the 9th Annual Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon & Reef Swim, call Frank Tudela or Edward Diaz at 664-3200 or e-mail at ediaz@mymarianas.com or ftudela@mymarianas.com

MVA Tinian’s Benedicta Borja can also be reached at 433-9365, while those in Japan can contact Kiyokazu Onishi of KFC Triathlon Club Japan at 81-428-31-4911 or kfc-onishi@gem.hi-ho.ne.jp.