Allen eager to try longer Tagaman

Australian pro Ben Allen is raring to race in the Half Ironman event of this Sunday’s Tagaman Triathlon after missing last year’s competition.

Australian pro Ben Allen poses for a photo at the finish line of this Sunday’s Tagaman Triathlon. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

“I’m coming into this year’s race confident and excited to tackle the new distance,” Allen said in an interview with Saipan Tribune.

This year’s Tagaman Half Ironman course features a 1.9-kilometer swim, 90K bike, and 21K run. The longer course had its debut last year in celebration of the event’s silver anniversary.

Despite failing to join last year’s inaugural Half Ironman event, Allen believes he is ready to conquer the longer and more punishing course.

“I’m no stranger to racing on off-road, long or short distance races. I pride myself on being a versatile triathlete. I race at the elite level on the world stage in every distance and every multiple discipline event on earth. I have experience and knowledge, giving me an edge over my competitors,” added Allen, who arrived on Saipan early Wednesday morning.

Before coming to Saipan, Allen competed in the Philippines and various races across the Land Down Under this year.

“I have started my season, developing and trying different things, fine-tuning my race skillset. I’ve been in the sport for five years and I am always learning and getting stronger,” the 30-year-old triathlete said.

“I remember the first time I participated in the race back in 2013, pushing my body and mind to its maximum limits. The thrill of crossing the finish line and achieving the unthinkable is inspiring. I’m hungry to chase that same feeling again this year,” the Wollongong native added.

Allen, who thanked husband and wife Steve and Kimiko McKagan for opening their home to him and girlfriend and fellow triathlete Jacqui Slack, will be batting the men’s division championship against last year’s runner-up Aleksandr Dorovskih of Russia and three other pros. Dorovskih timed in at 4:24:16 in the 2014 raced won by Korean National Team member Ju Seoj Kim (4:15:59). Joining Dorovskih and Allen in the men’s pro field are Korea’s Kaon Cho, New Caledonia’s David Esposito, and Japan’s Shishin Miyagi. A few more age group participants from Japan, Korea, and Guam are also competing in the longest triathlon event in the CNMI.

Ninety-seven have registered so far for this weekend’s Tagaman, which will also feature an Olympic distance race for individual and team divisions. The Olympic distance will cover 1.5K swim, 40K bike, and 10K run legs.