Maimi hopes to return to Kaike next year

After conquering the 28th Kaike Triathlon last Sunday in less than 11 hours, Maimi Shimizu said she was happy that she finished the race injury-free and is in fact already looking ahead to next year’s race.

“This race was a great experience for me. It was my first Ironman, so my goal was to just finish the race with no injury. But the race was so much fun after all. I especially loved the hilly bike course. Race day was very hot, but thanks to the sunny weather, I could see how beautiful Kaike is,” she said.

The 2008 Tagaman Triathlon runner-up said while the Kaike Triathlon was the longest race she has ever taken part in, she enjoyed every stroke, pedal, and step she took during the race.

“It took over 10 hours, but the race finished like a flash—meaning I really enjoyed this race and I did my best. Hopefully I can to more strong and return there again,” she said.

Shimizu also thanked organizers of the Kaike Triathlon as well as the companies that sponsored her and Ken Halliday’s trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

“All the race organizers, volunteers, and spectators were very nice. I’m glad that I could compete in the Kaike Triathlon this time, and hope to return next year. Special thanks to Pacific Development Inc., Marianas Visitros Authority, Taga Inc., Northwest Airlines, Pacific Islands Club, and DFS Saipan for sponsoring me and Ken. I also want to thank Ed Diaz from MVA, Hiroko Tajima from PDI, and the Kaike Triathlon organizers for their wonderful support and friendship.”

PDI president Yoichi Matsumura was overjoyed with the achievements of Shimizu and Halliday.

“After five years of continued participation, we were able to finally make a name for ourselves in the Kaike Triathlon. As you may already know, this is the first time we completed the real genuine Kaike triathlon course. Last year’s course was redesigned to a shorter version due to bad weather,” he said.

The PDI executive also echoed Shimizu when he thanked all the sponsors that made it possible for Shimizu and Halliday to compete in the 28th Kaike Triathlon.

“With this, I would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to all the generous sponsors and supporters that made this participation possible for us. First and foremost without NWA Japan, Taga Inc., DFS Saipan, PIC, and MVA we could not have achieved this feat,” he said.

Shimizu and Halliday made history when they became the first participants from the CNMI to complete the Kaike Triathlon during its 28th staging last Sunday in Tottori Prefecture, Yonago City in Kaike, Japan.

Shimizu finished the course in 10:42:32, which was 103rd overall and seventh among women participants.

The veteran triathlete, who finished second to Renata Bucher in the 2008 Tagaman Triathlon, finished the exhausting 3-kilometer swim in 54:18, negotiated the 145-km bike in 5:17:13, and then battled the 42.195-km run in 4:31:01.

Meanwhile, Tinian transplant Halliday crossed the finish line 201st overall with a time of 11:31:43. His splits were 56:37 in the swim, 5:31:13 in the bike, and 5:03:53 in the run.

The 28th Kaike Triathlon drew 850 participants from Japan, a sprinkling of triathletes from South Korea, as well as the two entrants from the CNMI.