Last Enticer a week away

Next month’s Rota Blue Triathlon is just a few weeks away and local multisport enthusiasts have already preparing for the first of the qualifying races for the 2006 Micronesian Games next summer, and they will have a grand opportunity next weekend as the organizers of the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation will host the final event of the 2005 Enticer Series.

The race that had previously been slated for an evening start is now ready for the early risers as the first swimmers will take to the water at Pau Pau Beach at 8am, with registration between 7am and 7:45am.

The rookies return to the lagoon for their toughest test to date during the 600-meter swim, and once out of the water, the budding triathletes will transition to the 16-kilometer bike course that will lead them down the winding Marpi roads and back to the parking lot. From there the swimmers-turned bikers will transition to the run 4-km course.

According NMITF Enticer Series director Sue Knecht, Onishi-san of KFC Triathlon group added a little incentive to the newest batch of multisport enthusiast by offering the top male and female rookies the chance to save $80 by earning a free entry for the Saturday, Nov. 19, race.

All of the distances are doubled from the second race, and the NMITF has a tune-up event for those looking for a little more of a challenge in the form of a double sprint distance race. The swimmers will spend a little more time in the water during the 1,200m course and will double the Enticer distances by taking two loops on both the bike and run courses.

Aside from racers, the NMITF is also looking for a number of volunteers to help with many aspects of the race. According to Knecht, the organization is currently in need of four volunteers for timing, another four for road safety, two timers, and people to help out with registration and to write the numbers on the racers.

Next month’s Rota Blue Olympic Distance Triathlon will be hosted by the KFC Triathlon Club in association with the Marianas Visitors Authority, and the course includes a 1.5-km ocean swim that local officials call amazing, followed by a 40-km rolling hills bike ride, and a 10-km run.

Those looking for the ultimate test in the Marianas can opt for the will-testing 2-km swim, 90-km bike, and 21km run course of the Half Iron Man distance race as well.

Knecht also reminded all racer that in addition to finishing with the fastest times, qualifications to represent the CNMI in the Micro Games includes the athletes having resided on Saipan for a period no less than five years.