The Marianas Visitors Authority is all set to celebrate the spirit of sports on Saipan island. Many events are planned from April 16 to 25. The aim of the 2004 Sports Fest is to provide a number of activities for sports enthusiasts both domestic and foreign. Participants are expected from the US, New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Guam, Palau and Northern Mariana's. There will be outdoor races, games and festivities to entertain people of all ages like the Tagkids Triathlon, Beach Volleyball and the S.O.P.H.I.A. Trained Professionals will be at hand
to run sports clinics, give nutrition advice and impart training.
The XTERRA Saipan Championship, which is being billed as the Crown Jewel or ultimate event, will kick off the season in the Northern Hemisphere on 17 April 2004. Starting on Micro Beach it will take participants on a 1.5 km swim in clear, blue Pacific waters. This will be followed by mountain biking for 30 km/20 miles on a combination of paved roads, coral roads and single track leading to the highest point on the island and back to the beach. After this comes a 12 km/8 miles trail run though dense tropical jungle and through secret caves, past World War II relics. Pros stand to win a prize of $ 15,000 Winners will go to the World Championship in Maui in Hawaii.
The longest running race in the Western Pacific; the Tagaman Triathlon is another unique event of the, Sports Fest. It is named after the Taga stone, an archeological remnant of the original native people of the Marianas. The course of this Triathlon spans the entire island of Saipan from South to North and begins with a swim in the crystal clear waters at the Pacific Islands Club Resort. It goes on to one of the world's most picturesque bicycle courses, covering the whole island, going past some stunning sights like Suicide Cliff and Bird Island and the hills nearby then returning to Micro Beach. The final leg of the tournament ends with a flat but fun run along the Western lagoon through the American Memorial Park. Cash prizes and trophies will be given to the top 6 winners in both the Men's and Women's Open Division.
For the bravehearts there is the Pacific Islands Club Double. Endurance junkies, can do a combination of the XTERRA Saipan Championship and the Tagaman Triathlon. Those making the fastest time in these combined events will win the prize. (One each for female and male) of US$ 500 with airfare on Continental Airlines, plus 5 nights stay at the Pacific Islands Club. Taga kids Triathlon (25 April) will be held for different age groups (6-9 years, 10-12 years and 13-15 years) with varying lengths. It will have a combination of events such as swimming, biking and running through the southern most island villages and back to the Pacific Islands Club. The SOPHIA walk (7 km or 10 km) is along the western beach shoreline.