Held in Saipan on October 2017, Ironman 70.3 was a triathlon race where over 200 athletes from around the world had registered. The race consisted of a Half Ironman. Mainly flat bike race. The swim portion held in the sparkling clear waters of Pau Pau Beach. Half the race being by the coast provides an amazing view with the Bird Island Lookout easily visible. Many villages where locals and tourists cheer the racers on towards San Antonio. The end of the race is a 31mi running course past many villages.
Ironman 70.3, a World Championship triathlon race, is organized through the IRONMAN Triclub program. It includes half an IRONMAN with 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 run. With the community, a friendly competitive competition was created. In the name the "70.'3" refers to the total distance of the race in miles. Held in many countries around the world the triathlon has been in the United States, the Philippines, Japan, Peurto Rico, Europe, and in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Saipan's triathletes were used to the brutal race conditions of the island. Announced as Saipan's best finisher, Charlie Sendin, with a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run at the finish line in 6:02:03. Second finisher, Tyce Mister, crossed the finish line at 6:05:15. Manny Sitchon, as Saipan's third best finisher ended with a record posting time of 7:07:53
Korea's elite athletes and top finishers, South Korean Kwang Hoon Lee and Sun Hyeon Choi, took a while took a while to recover after completing the triathlon. Kwang Hoon Lee at 22 years old, finished the race at 4:46:19 and was one of the only three participants that finished the race at five hours. As the third best time for the bike portion, Kwang Hoon clocked in at 2:34:07.
The heat caused some athletes to quit not even halfway during the race, others missing the cutoff time.
For more information please visit Saipan Tribune.
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