NMITF cancels clinic, ‘Wayne’ still on

Less than a week after introducing this year’s crop of new comers to the world of multisport, the Northern Marianas Islands Triathlon Federation was poised to reinforce their experience with a clinic in Marpi until Typhoon Nabi blew by Saipan.

Citing surf at Pau Pau, slick road conditions, rain forecast, and conflicts with the monthly NMASA and SSC board meetings, organizers were forced to reschedule the training session to another yet to be specified date.

While the newbies will have to wait a little while before receiving formal instruction, everyone is welcome to participate in the second race of the season as the NMITF will be supporting the Try Wayne Tri II this coming Monday, Sept. 5, at Kilili Beach near AJ’s Restaurant.

Currently the water in the lagoon has more chop than a sushi parlor, and while organizers are giving Wayne the green light until race day, they are leaving the back door open for replacement events if the weather conditions prohibit swimming and/or biking.

“We may cancel the bike if it rains for safety concerns, but I don’t care if we have to come out of the water and do a bunch of push-ups, sit-ups, or play tiddly winks—we’re having a triathlon,” said race coordinator Wayne Bramlett.

All comers are welcomed to the second ever event as it crashes in to the Saipan Lagoon for the first time. Style and fun trump length during the 1300m swim, 20km bike, and 4km run that emphasize completing rather than competing.

The second NMITF Enticer race comes a couple of weeks later on Saturday, Sept. 17, as the new batch of triathletes tackle the double distances from the first race 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.

According to series director Sue Knecht, anyone who follows the Enticer Series through to its completion will be able to participate in the 1,500m swim, 40km bike, and 10km run of the Olympic distance Rota race on Saturday, Nov. 19, so it’s not too late to start.

The Enticer/Sprint Series events are all adult races, and while entrants must be 14 years of age or older, those between the ages of 14-18 must have a signed parental consent.

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.