Sponsored by the Marianas Tourism Education Council to raise funds for tourism awareness on the island, the Tank 2 Tank drew close to a hundred professional and amateur athletes including members of Tsunami Saipan, along with parents and dozens of sports fans.
Finishing the swim and run course for the eight years and under in 11.42 minutes, seven-year-old Kang improved his record once again as he won the first place and will have one night stay in a standard room at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.
Kang was also the first youngest swimmer to return to the shore and never looked back after putting on his shoes and take the 100-meter swim and one-kilometer run course—to the Oleai Beach and back to the AJ’s Restaurant’s beach front.
Kato Yanai crossed the finish line first at 16.59 minutes and won the first place in the nine to 12 years old for the 200M swim and 2K run course.
Kensuke Kimura completed the 500-meter swim as he went around the nearer WWII tank, and the 2K run course in 16.48 minutes to Minatchom Atdao pavilion to win the first place in the 13-16 years old division.
He and Yanai won Magellan Lunch for two at the Pacific Island Club and gift certificate from National Office Supply.
John Jenkins dominated the Anything Goes category. He was the first one to swim around the war tank, put away his flipper and goggles on the beach after that, then took the 2K run-course which he completed in 21.46 minutes.
Andreas Buitray never trailed in both the one-kilometer swim to the farther war tank and five-kilometer run-course around the other Japanese tank at the Quarter Master intersection, to win the first place in the solo Open category.
He finished the entire race in 41.28 minutes.
Multi-awarded triathlete, Mieko Carey who warmed herself up prior to the race was behind Buitray all the time. She however, almost caught him up around the Quarter Master tank, which promoted him to gear up.
“I saw her picking up speed behind me so I ran faster as well,” Buitray said.
Carey finished it in 43.42 minutes while Matthew Mancao came third with 49.22 minutes.
Buitray won $20 cash and water park pass for two at the Saipan World Resort.
In the relay category, the tandem of Stuart Smith and Jack Kabiriel won the first place putting a 39.26-minute record. They won $50 cash water park pass at the Saipan World Resort.
Shin Kimura and Kai Staal placed second, completing the entire course in 40.20 minutes they won $30 cash and water park pass at the Saipan World Resort.
Izuka was the first place winner in the Master Division with 42.19 minutes. He won a Sunday brunch for two at Saipan Grand and breakfast for two at Shirley’s.
