PRESS RELEASE – Guam Triathlon Federation announced that the 2nd Annual Leo Palace Guam International Triathlon competition is likely to become the largest triathlon in the Federation’s history and is set for Sunday, October 18th, 2015.

At present, over 60 international competitors from Japan and Korea have registered for the event. The event is expected to draw over 150 competitors from Guam, Korea, Japan, and neighboring islands.

Leo Palace Resort has been the primary driver behind the Guam International Triathlon. According to Guam Triathlon Federation President Mark Cruz, “it was a collaboration between Leo Palace and Japanese Triathlon Club-KFC that made this race possible in 2014. Leo Palace wanted to expand sports tourism on Guam and the sport of triathlon was a good fit.

“It has been easy to draw international interest in the event since Guam offers a truly exotic destination to race.” After positive feedback from local and visiting athletes last year, the GTF Board worked with numerous local sponsors to add this event to their annual race schedule.

“It is one of the toughest (Olympic distance) races I’ve competed in across all of Asia. The course is really challenging with both climbing on the bike route that encompasses Cross Island Rd. and the run that takes place within the resort at Leo Palace. It is encouraging to see so many off island triathletes registered this early for our event,” stated Mieko Carey. Carey was the overall winner of the 2014 race.

The swim is 1.5 kilometers long and starts at Port Authority Beach across from the Port of Guam terminal at 6:30am. Athletes will then navigate over 35 kilometers (22 miles) with a total elevation gain of 2,100 ft. from Port Authority Beach to the second transition area inside Leo Palace Resort.

To complete the event, competitors will then need to run 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles) on a two-loop course that takes place inside the Leo Palace Resort.

Register for the event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-leo-palace-guam-international-triathlon- registration-18013553022. The cost of the event is $40 for members, $50 for non-members, and teams are $25 a person. There will be no race day registration for this event. This event is made possible by the support of our sponsors: Leo Palace, Guam Visitors Bureau, Japan Triathlon Club (KFC), TakeCare, Community First Federal Credit Union, GTA, Ambros, BikeFix, Hornet Sports, Hertz and Triple J.

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