(First published in the January 10, 2013 issue of Marianas Variety )
FOR so many years, the scenic and challenging terrains in
the CNMI have drawn athletes from all over the world to join the various sports
events held here each year.
In a couple of weeks, Saipan will be welcoming athletes
again for another annual signature event the Marianas Visitors Authority will
be hosting—the 6th Annual Marianas Coffee Trail Run which will be held on
January 26.
The Annual Marianas Coffee Trail Run includes a 15K Trail
Run and a 10K short course trail fun run that starts at Micro Beach American
Memorial Park, create a loop and will finish at the same place.
Participants of the Annual Marianas Coffee Trail Run which
is sponsored by by the Marianas Coffee Company, MVA, KFC Triathlon Club of Japan,
Team PDI, and Northern Marianas Athletic will kick off at 6:30 a.m. from
American Memorial Park and head toward Mt. Tapochao passing a new course
through wild coffee plantation that will go around the highest of Saipan and
will finish at Micro Beach.
The Annual Marianas Coffee Trail Run entry fee is $10 for 12
years old and under, and $15 for participants 13 and 18 years of age. The
registration packet includes a finisher's T-shirt, Certificate of
Participation, and Marianas Coffee.
Top three finishers for both male and female categories for
both events will be awarded at the awards banquet which will be held at the Microl
Beach, Main Pavilion, starting at 11:30 a.m.
In March, Saipan will be hosting two popular international
sporting events—the 12th Annual XTERRA Saipan Championship, and the 24th
Annual Tagaman Triathlon.
The XTERRA is an annual event that involves some of the most
rugged terrains and jungles of Saipan. The XTERRA Saipan starts with the 1.5 kilometer
swim at the Micro Beach in one hour, followed by a 30 kilometer mountain bike
ride across jungles and rugged terrain heading to the top of Mt. Tapochao, and
finally ends with a 12 kilometer run that takes competitors past historic
relics and scenic jungles and views of the island. At stake for the top
finishers is a total of $15,200 in cash prizes.
The 24th Annual Tagaman Triathlon begins with a 2 kilometer
swim at the Pacific Islands Club, followed by a 60 kilometer bike along the
island’s beautiful bike courses, and finishes with a 15 kilometer run along the
western lagoon, through the American Memorial Park pathway. Cash prizes for top
six male and female finishers and trophies to age group winners.
These are just three of the regular annual sporting events
the MVA hosts each year to draw more tourists, and spread the word about the
beauty of the CNMI.
Registration forms are now available at the MVA office in
Oleai.
For more information, send inquiries to Ed Diaz of the MVA
at ediaz@mymarianas.com or contact number at (670) 664-3210.
