NMITF entices all ages

More than sixty people of all ages braved the wind and rain to journey to the Kan-Pacific Pool in Marpi for the Northern Marianas Islands Triathlon Federation’s first Enticer Series event this past Saturday, and a few have already caught the multisport bug.

Due to the inclement weather, the youngest participants had to take a pass on the bike course, but they put a little extra energy into the swim and run phases of the Kids TRYathlon to get the morning started.
The knee-high racers first swam across the width of the pool before exiting the water and running a lap around the outside of the facility to officially get the action underway, and as the weather began to clear, the older kids got the green light for the two-wheeled portion.

The second batch of racers swam the length of the pool twice before transitioning to the bike course, where parents and volunteers cheered them on along Chalan Pale Arnold before they returned to the pool, dismounted, and took off for the run.

According to race coordinator Sue Knecht, awards were not given for placing, as all of the competitors were winners for having completed the event. The same went for the adults.

Many new faces joined the pack by the pool and donned their goggles and swim caps to start the first leg of the mini-triathlon. From the word go the future Tagamen and Tagawomen felt the spirit of race day competition as they traversed the 200 meter swim course.

From there it was a bike ride to the turn around at the base of the hill that leads to Suicide Cliff and back before running to the Far East Broadcasting sign and back. All of the racers successfully completed the race with smiles, and many plan to be back.

Veteran Brenda Schultz returned to the pool where she got her start in last year’s race and said that the enticer was a little more difficult this time around.

“It hurts. It’s good. It seemed a little bit easier last year and I don’t know why. We’re gonna have to train,” she said

Her husband Rob also competed in the series last year and joked about his experience over the weekend.
“I suffered. I took a few quick steps at the end just for the pictures,” said Schultz.

Schultz’s whole family volunteered their time to support the Tagaman racers last year, and all of them took the next step by competing in the different age groups during Saturday’s event.

Even the Saipan Tribune’s own Shan Seman took the challenge. The avid cager and track star never gave up once he took to the water for his first ever 200m swim, and while he was winded at the finish line, he said that he is excited to improve for the next race on the schedule.

“Man, I almost died, but I can’t wait to get started in the Master’s Swim program,” said Seman.

With their first multisport event under their belt, the newbies gained a little experience that should help them in the upcoming events, and they can tap the veterans for their knowledge as well during this week’s free Mini-Triathlon Clinic. The tip session is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1, at Pau Pau from 5:30pm until 7pm.

The second NMITF Enticer race comes with two weeks later on Saturday, Sept. 17, as the new batch of triathletes tackle the double distances in Marpi. At 8am the swimmers will take to the waters along Pau Pau Beach for the 400m shallow ocean swim before transitioning to the 8km bike ride and the 2km run.

If they can’t wait that long, the new racers can join everyone else in Saipan to get another taste of the triathlon bug next week Monday, Sept. 5, as the second race of the season begins with the Try Wayne Tri II at Kilili Beach near AJ’s Restaurant.

All comers are welcomed to the second ever event as it crashes in to the Saipan Lagoon for the first time. Times are not the focus of the TWTII, as style and fun are in fashion during the 1300m swim, 20km bike, 4km run.

In 2004 the NMITF got the series started in November to get wannabe racers ready for the Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon, but this time around the people who like three sports better than one are on a mission to turn the most adamant couch potato from a tuber to terrific in time for the Rota Blue Triathlon on Saturday, Nov. 19.

The cost to participate in all of the Sprint/Enticer races is $5 for NMITF members and $10 for non-members. The cost of an annual membership is $25.

To pre-registration for the races, send your intentions to sueknecht1@yahoo.com. For more information about the Try Wayne Tri II, contact huengo@att.net.