JARED Inselmann not only topped the 40-49 age division but won the overall title of the Paupau Taga 5150 Triathlon on Saturday.
A resident of Rota where he teaches at Northern Marianas College, Inselmann joined the event after learning about it from friends.
The course involved a swim in the open water followed by a biking leg from Paupau to Suicide Cliff before heading down to the Tanapag gas station and back to Paupau, covering a distance of 20.59km. Participants then transitioned to the final section, a 10km run up Suicide Cliff and back.
Inselmann kept a steady pace in the water and then sped things up in the bike race and running section to finish first with a time of 2:24’24.
Taking second place in the 40-49 division was Michiteru Mita, clocking at 2:51’58, followed by Ronald Villafria with a time of 3:11’47.
“This was my very first triathlon and it was awesome — tons of fun but exhausting,” Inselmann said.
“But it was a good community to participate with, and I was welcomed by the other athletes.”
An endurance athlete, he said he usually bikes and swims around Rota. “I wanted to try something new and test my limits. I was going for experience,” he said as he thanked Ricky Castro and the Triathlon Association of the CNMI or TRAC “for hosting a really great event.”
Women’s division
Lily Muldoon finished first in the elite category of the women’s division, clocking in at 2:36’50 to beat Kimiko McKagan (2:54’32) and Ayano Braxton (2:55’48).
“This feels good,” Muldoon said. “This is an exciting time, because I’m a runner at heart, and trying to add swimming and biking had been a great success today.”
She added, “I joined today because I did the Tagaman two years ago and I was dying to do a triathlon again.”
The rest of the results
In the men’s division of the elite category, Shuji Kuroda clocked in at 2:27’40 followed by Charlie Sendin with a time of 2:32’28.
For her part, Kerri Bauer led the 30-39 group in the women’s division with a time of 3:12’47 while Yuki Rechucher powered through the 40-49 group, clocking in at 3:14’57 to beat Ali Nelson (3:48’07) and Slyvia Taggart (4:19’54).
In the team event, Team 1st Tri led the relay with a finish time of 2:52’07 while Last Minute Spy settled for second place with a time of 2:56’01.
In the men’s division, U19 age group, Daryll De Luna shined with a finish time of 3:53’18 followed by Eric David who clocked in at 4:07’15.
In the 20-29 group, Christian Villacrusis was the sole racer, clocking in at 3:34’57.
In the 50-59 group, Nate Hawley took first place (2:49’12) followed by Tyce Mister (2:51’42) and Carl Rohringer (3:09’39).
In the 60Up age group, Florence Antonio had the best time (3:18’51) while Chong Nam Lee (3:29’37) placed second and Manny Sitchon (3:31’57) was third.
In the Men’s Team Relay, the Dynamic Trio took first place with a time of 2:23’04 followed by Floro’s 50S (2:26’31) and Drugs R’ Us (2:40’41).
In the Mixed Team Relay, Tri To Compete (2:25’26) led the competition followed by Michael, Noel & Akiko (2:27’29) and Fast & Furious (2:34’49).
Jared Inselmann, third right, poses with Lily Muldoon, second right, Shuji Kuroda, fourth right, and CNMI TRAC officials during the awards ceremony of the Paupau Taga 5150 Triathlon at the Kensington Hotel.
