The organizers said the number of participants of this year’s event that will be held on Dec. 5 has grown to over 100.
Last year’s HOM had scores of cyclists from NMI and Guam and only two from Korea.
On Saturday, 17 participants from Korea, three from Japan, one from Australia and up to 70 from NMI and Guam will saddle up to take the 100-kilometer course of the third annual HOM.
The course will again, start at the Pacific Island Club in San Antonio. The cyclists will first head north to Chalan Piao intersection where they will make a U-turn, then will bike past the start line and proceed south to take the eastern fringes of the island heading north.
The course includes Kagman Village and from Laolao Bay Golf Course, the bikers will proceed north on Isa Drive and descend down to the Kingfisher Golf Course entrance in Talafofo and make the U-turn to scale the long, windy road uphill to Capital Hill.
At the bottom of Capital Hill in Sadog Tasi, the course converges on Chalan Pale Arnold Road to the next check point high atop Radar Hill in As Matuis.
The last portion of the race will be Saipan’s historical and scenic sites—Suicide Cliff, Bird Island, Grotto and Banzai Cliff.
The bikers then will head south back to PIC.
Aside from challenging hill climbs and deep descends, a unique race feature includes surprise race primes that are offered when a pack of four or more riders sprint in pursuit of a costumed “devil” holding a placard 100 meters ahead designated with dollar signs.
This indicates that money is up for grabs at that instant.
PIC would like to notify all motorists to be particularly cautious from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the northbound lane of Isa Drive near San Vicente, Papago, Kagman and Capitol Hill where the bikers will be riding in packs.
There will be cones to indicate the bike lane. Department of Public Safety officers and official media vehicles will also be traversing the route.
If motorists can circumvent these portions of Isa Drive during the above times, it will prevent heavy traffic congestion and enhance safety for all.
The organizers also said that the event will be covered by media entities from participating countries.
They are the Japan’s Fun Ride Magazine, Outdoor Japan Magazine; Russia’s Edge Magazine and Korea’s AB Road, Bicycle Life Newsweek, Esquire and MNet.
Race Details:
• Mandatory Race Packet Pick Up: December 4 from 2-6 PM at PIC Lobby
• Show Time at PIC’s South Parking Lot (race briefing): 5:15 AM
• Start Time: 6:15 AM
• Cut Off Time: 12:45 PM
• Awards Banquet: 1:00 PM in Charley’s (PIC) $20 per person includes buffet lunch
• Three Event Categories (entries include event T-shirt, course map, water bottle, race results):
1. Individual 100KM ($40 / $35 NMITF member) Open & Age Group divisions
2. Two-person Relay 2x50KM ($80 team / $70 NMITF team)
3. Four-person Relay 4x25KM ($160 team / $140 NMITF team)
