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Toby Perez-Theisen completes the swim portion of a GTF Sprint Triathlon race. (courtesy photo)

PRESS RELEASE – The Guam Triathlon Federation (“GTF”) will be hosting its first of two triathlon sprint distance races this Sunday at at Hoover Park (former USO) in Piti. Series entry fees are $35 (non-GTF members) or $25 (GTF members/students 17 and under) for the two-race series. Relay teams are also encouraged to join for $30 per person (Non-GTF) or $20 per person (GTF member) for the series.

The race series is a no-frills fundraiser to benefit the GTF National Team at the upcoming Pacific Islands Triathlon Championship in Papau New Guinea.

A sprint distance triathlon is a 750meter open ocean swim, followed by a 20K bike and 5K run on a flat course in and around the vastly improved smooth paved roadways of the Port Authority of Guam.

“The Sprint Distance is great race to get your feet wet,” said GTF Board Member and longtime Guam triathlete Dave Torre, “besides the Super Sprint, it’s the shortest of the official triathlon distances.”

GTF President Mark Cruz encourages athletes of all skill levels and abilities to give the super sprint race a try, suggesting that “the first thing you should do if you’re nervous about joining a triathlon is come out and watch the event – once you see the wide range of abilities and people doing it, you’ll get motivated to try it for yourself.”

“If you are afraid of doing your first triathlon, do the Sprint Tri as part of a team,” added Torre, “this way you can gauge your level of fitness and curb the jitters of the unknown. You will experience the amazing support of your fellow athletes, volunteers and spectators, as well as the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment when you cross the finish line. People from all walks of life participate in the Sprint Tri because, besides it being a great form of exercise – it’s a lot of fun, if it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t be doing for the last 15 years.”

Interested participants also have the option of becoming a 20123 Guam Triathlon Federation member ($30 for individuals, $50 per family, $20 per student) and receiving discounted race entry fees for GTF events (excluding XTERRA Guam) as well as a GTF member T-shirt, GTF decal, discounted GTF merchandise, 10 percent discount at Hornet Sports and a 10 percent discount at DNA, DNA Evolution and Splash Guam (in the Plaza).

GTF members are benefit from free swimming lessons at the Competitive Edge Swimming Techniques clinic with Coach Pepe Laflamme every Saturday.

Race and membership applications can be found and turned in at Hornet Sporting Goods. Applications and further information are also available for download at triathlonguam.com. Showtime is 5:30AM and go time is 6:30AM.

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