Carey’s victory, according to Marianas Visitors Authority drew more attention to the event’s exchange program with Saipan’s own Tagaman triathlon.
Carey conquered the 3-km swim, 145-km bike, and a 42.195-km full marathon run to become the first athlete of the Northern Mariana Islands to complete the course in five years of exchange between the two triathlons. Carey finished 62nd out of 821 participants in 8:22:35 at the 29th running of the Kaike Triathlon Championships.
“A big thank you goes to the Kaike Triathlon organizers for showing us around and for all the people who lined the streets in the bad weather to cheer for us,” said Carey. “We had a great time and hope to come back.”
The top winners from both Tagaman and Kaike Triathlons receive complimentary invitations to participate in the other event.
MVA board member Yoichi Matsumura accompanied Carey and said response on her participation was positive from the Tottori Prefecture Athletic Federation.
“The good news is that they have proclaimed officially to support the 2010 Saipan Marathon in March,” said Matsumura. “Ms. Mieko Carey’s outstanding performance had also added up to our exposure, and we received numerous inquiries from many Kaike participants expressing their intensions to participate in the Tagaman Triathlon event next year, as well.”
Matsumura commended NMI honorary tourism ambassador Yoshihiro Hamasaki for masterminding the Kaike-Tagaman Triathlon exchange program.
Hamasaki also initiated a regular ground golf tournament between senior citizens of Japan and the Northern Marianas and the Tottori Athletic Federation Winter Camp in Saipan. Matsmura also congratulated Carey on her outstanding performance.
“She was worried to find the bike course was extremely long and was not really sure she would complete this segment, but she continued on to challenge and complete the long grueling bike course and the tough run, as well,” Matsumura said.
Carey’s participation was sponsored by Taga Inc., MVA, Asiana Airlines, and Pacific Development Inc. Kaike triathletes invited to participate in the Tagaman triathlon will receive complimentary rooms at Pacific Islands Club Saipan. (MVA)
