Enticers return on Saturday

With three months remaining before the finest off-road triathletes return to the CNMI for the XTERRA Saipan Championship there is still plenty of time for first timers to get fit in time for the 1,500-meter swim, 30-kilometer mountain bike, and 12-km trail run no matter how difficult it may seem.

While the task appears daunting to newcomers, the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation will cushion the blow by starting rookies out with an abbreviated race this weekend to kick off its Enticer Series.

The three-stage race gets underway in Marpi this Saturday, Dec. 16, at 8am when the adults gear up for the first TRY-athlon of the season. According to race director Sue Knecht the event is specifically designed for the newbie to learn the ropes in time for Saipan’s signature events.

“Come out and start a training program right now and be ready for XTERRA and Tagaman,” she said.

Rather than start off with the big fish, the new crop of racers will tackle a 200m swim in the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool with the use of snorkels, fins, buoys, or anything else they need to get through the water.

From there the racers will transition to the 5-km bike ride from the pool to the 2.5-km turn around just beyond the Last Command Post before leaving their helmets behind for the 1-km run to the FEBC road sign and back to finish their first triathlon.

After testing the three disciplines for the first time, the newbies will be able to tap the veterans for their tri knowledge as the NMITF will offer short lessons hosted by Saipan’s experts immediately following the try-athlon.

Making the event more accessible to the newcomers, the NMITF will have a limited number of loaner bikes and helmets available on a first come, first serve basis to those without their own gear.

Registration begins at 7:30am and the cost to participate in the TRY-athlon is $5 for NMITF members and $10 for non-members. Former NMITF president Stephan Samoyloff made it clear that the membership pays for itself during the series. With all of the events thus far, members saved more than their dues, and there are still more races before the XTERRA Saipan Championship and Tagaman Triathlon.

To help get the new additions up and running in their first multisport event, Knecht is calling for the experienced triathletes to participate by teaming up with a newbie.

“Its also painless way for those who have been out of the loop to get back into the groove,” she said.