This is the third, and final, signature race held in the Northern Marianas during March, drawing international attention and athletes to this tropical setting.
The Tagaman Triathlon was established by Marianas Visitors Authority personnel in 1988 and is the longest running race in the western Pacific. The event is named for Taga, a legendary chief of the ancient Chamorros. His renowned feats of strength included lifting and placing enormous taga stones, limestone boulders which formed structures for the original Marianas Island inhabitants and which still stand today.
The event route is a fitting one named for a Chamorro king. The 2K swim begins at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan at 5:30 a.m. before transitioning to the 60K biking section, which enables participants to tour and enjoy the entire island.
The 15K run section begins at Micro Beach, where runners will race along Beach Rd. to the bus stop at Oleai Beach Bar & Grill and back, as well as through American Memorial Park. There are cash prizes for the top six male and female finishers and trophies for age group winners.
Registration deadline to enter the Tagaman Triathlon is tomorrow. The registration fee for an individual is $150 and for a team it is $200.
The MVA asks drivers to be aware of the bike and run routes. Also, the following areas will be closed for part of the day or will require passes:
• Koblerville Rd. and Chalan Msgr. Martinez to Coral Ocean Point – closed from 5:30-7 a.m.
• Beach Rd. from PIC to Garapan Police/Fire Station – northbound lanes closed from 6-8 a.m.; one southbound lane closed from 7-11:30 a.m.
• Micro Beach Rd. (Micro Beach to AMP Tennis Court Intersection) – closed from 6-11:30 a.m.
• Chalan Pale Arnold from Micro Beach Rd. to La Fiesta, As Matuis turnoff – outside lanes closed to all vehicles 6:30-10:30 a.m.; inside lanes (North & Southbound) open to limited traffic.
• Marpi Rd. (Chalan Pale Arnold to Chalan Kalabera, Bird Island Lookout, Grotto and Banzai Cliff Rd. – closed 6:30-9 a.m.
“This has been an exciting month for athletes living in and visiting the Northern Mariana Islands,” said Perry Tenorio, MVA Managing Director. “We’ve been very pleased with the successes of the Saipan Marathon and the XTERRA Saipan Championship. I know the Tagaman will be as rewarding. Because of MVA’s part in Tagaman’s inception, it is always a special event for us.”
For more information contact MVA’s Frank Tudela at [email protected] or 1-670-664-3200.
(PR)
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