MTEC Aquathon goes Tank-to-Tank

If swimming down at the local pool and running around the state of the art track and field facility in Oleai isn’t enough to keep you interested anymore, you may need to revamp your exercise routine, and thanks to the Marianas Tourism Educational Council, you don’t even have to figure out how to do it.

On Saturday, Dec. 4, MTEC will be hosting the Tank To Tank Aquathon in association with the Northern Marianas Islands Triathlon Federation, the Hyatt Regency Saipan, the Pacific Islands Club, and Tony Romas/Capriciossa.

In the wee hours of Saturday morning, aqua-racers will meet on the beach just south of AJ’s Restaurant where they will enter the lagoon and swim the approximate 500 meters out to the partially submerged Sherman Tank and back. From there, they will don their running shoes and head northward to the Japanese Tank at the intersection of Quartermaster Rd. and back to AJ’s parking lot.

Racers will be able to compete for a number of prizes from PIC, World Resort, Dai Ichi Hotel, Tony Roma’s, Capricciosa, Saipan Sunset Cruise, AJ’s Restaurant/Bar, Island Apparel, Ernest and Young and the Aqua Resort Club.

The participants will also be awarded with a free T-Shirt and breakfast at AJ’s as well.

The competition is open to racers of all ages and skill levels. The distance will differ per age group, as entrants in the 8-and-under will do a 100 meter swim and a 1 kilometer run, the 12-and-under will do a 200m swim and a 2K run, and the 16-and-under will do a 500m swim and a 2K run.

Competitors in the 17-and-over Open division will do the full distance of the 1K swim and the 5K run, while those in the 40-and-over Masters Division will do the same. If you’re on the verge of entering the competition but still not too sure about the swim, there is the Anything Goes Division that will allow you to take a snorkel, fins, or a lifejacket on the shortened 300m swim and 1.5K run course.

Teams of runners and swimmers will also be acceptable; however, they must participate in the longest course to qualify for the team prize.

The aquathon gets underway at 7:30, and the show time to register for the event is 7am the day of the race. The cost to enter the Tank to Tank is $20 for the solo competitor, and $30 for a team.

For more information about the splash and dash, or if you’re a swimmer looking for runner or a runner looking for a swimmer, contact Jon Cramer by calling 235-6231 ext 5148 or via email at jon@picsaipan.com.