Junjiro Ishikura, in front, Sprint Triathlon participant, completes another lap around Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station during the bicycling portion of the event last year as Yutaka Ishibashi attempts to close the distance between the two. (Courtesy of Iwakuni MCAS)
IWAKUNI MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, Japan — The air station is ready to host the 16th Annual Japanese and American Goodwill Sprint Triathlon on Sept. 14, according to Doriann Geller, Marine Corps Community Services marketing director. There are more than 250 registered participants, according to the base Semper Fit division.
“Our commanding officer here has encouraged us all to build bridges of friendship with the local Japanese community,” Geller said. “Having these kinds of events is one way to do that.”
Iwakuni’s triathlon gained prestige because of the number of athletes and spectators involved, the consistent quality of the competition, and the event’s smooth operation, Geller said.
“We have excellent participation from the Japanese running clubs out in town,” she said.
The majority of the Marines and sailors who compete are stationed in Iwakuni; however, servicemembers from Okinawa and elsewhere have competed in years past.
The triathlon consists of a 1.2-kilometer swim (0.75 miles) in the open ocean of Iwakuni Harbor, a 36-kilometer bicycle race (22.4 miles) — roughly four times around the entire base — and a 10-kilometer run (6.2 miles) along the base’s sea wall running course.
The deadline for Japanese triathletes to register is Aug. 18.
SOFA sponsored participants have until 5 p.m. Sept. 8. The entry fee is $20 for individuals, $30 for teams of two and $45 for teams of three.
To register, call 253-5654. Information is also available at the Iwakuni MCCS Web site at http://www.mccsiwakuni.com.
