Tagaman Triathlon changes course • Organizers say 200 participants are expected to join
With a major course change, the “new” Tagaman Triathlon managed to stir larger interests from overseas triathletes as organizers expect at least 200 participants from the island and foreign countries in the May 19, 2001 event.
The new course for the event, sponsored by Continental Airlines and the Pacific Islands Club, was made upon the recommendation of several past Tagaman finishers. Organizers said the new course is more challenging and scenic but stays within the same distances.
The 2Km swim will take place in the lagoon off the Pacific Islands Club, followed by a 60Km bike-ride to include a loop through Koblerville before heading north up Beach Road through Garapan, crossing onto W-2 Highway at the AMP Tennis Courts corner, then taking a left and heading north again to the Bird Island Lookout.
Participants will turn around, go to Banzai Cliff and back to the American Memorial Park transition station where they will leave their bikes and take off on a 15Km run heading south along Beach Road to a turnaround across from MVA near the Microl intersection, and return running along Beach Road Pathway, through Garapan and back through the AMP transition area, this time continuing through the marked area and unto the Memorial Park Jogging Path, forming a loop and returning to the Beach Road intersection by the Fire station and back through the Finish Line.
Along with the change in course, wetsuits will not be allowed for triathletes wishing to participate for the overall prize money — top six places male and female.
The Tagaman Organizing Committee has already received 41 applications and has commitments from both KFC and ATC Triathlon Clubs of Japan, with personal commitments from Japan’s best triathletes, Hideya Miyazuka (4-time Tagaman Winner), Taro Shirata, Masayuki Matsumara and Hiroe Miyazuka.
Many others are also expected to join this year’s event.
Mike Trees, 2000 male winner has moved to London, but hopes to return with a contingent from Great Britain with him. Scott Penny, Peter Grant and recent Tinian Triathlon Winner Steven Rankine, from Cairns, Australia, have all said they will return for Tagaman.
As part of an agreement to support the Tagaman, Continental Airlines is also bringing the winners of the 2000 Cairns Half Ironman to Saipan to compete in this years Tagaman Triathlon.
The Race Director of the Philippine Half Ironman sent word they have selected Abelardo Alon-Alon, 8th place Tagaman finisher in 1999, and one of the Philippines’ top triathletes to represent the country. More participants are hoped to join him.
Former Saipan resident and Tagaman top three finisher, Susan Burr, also ranked top in her age division in the USA, will return with her husband Eric Gilman, also a high place Tagaman past finisher.
