Overview:
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New faces, fast times and dramatic relays marked the start of Palau’s triathlon season at Meyuns Ramp. The 2026 Dare to Tri Sprint Triathlon delivered standout performances from first-time athletes, youth competitors and relay teams — setting an energetic tone for the year ahead.
Meyuns, Koror, Palau (Feb. 15, 2026) — New athletes made an immediate impact and relay teams delivered a dramatic finish Sunday as the 2026 Dare to Tri Sprint Triathlon opened the local season at Meyuns Ramp.
The community race featured a standard sprint-distance course of a 750-meter open-water swim, 20-kilometer bike and 5-kilometer run, drawing experienced triathletes alongside first-time participants. The event also served as a fundraiser for Palau’s national triathlon program.
Elite individual results
Mark Taksiau claimed the overall men’s title, crossing the finish line in 1 hour, 17 minutes, 22 seconds. He held off a close challenge from Ollie Diggins (1:17:56), with Morris Prulla rounding out the podium in 1:19:09.
In the women’s division, Elengoi Gibbons led from the field to take first place in 1:23:33. KrisNna Wilson finished second in 1:26:12, followed by Alice Andrew in 1:36:34.
Relays deliver fastest times
The mixed relay competition produced some of the fastest overall performances of the day. Team Wisdom posted the top relay time of 1:16:55, followed closely by Team Jake Soo in 1:17:45 and Team Sunshine in 1:18:17.
Two last-minute substitutions became one of the event’s most talked-about storylines. Sisters Yeonsoo Choi and Heesoo Choi were recruited shortly before the start to complete the swim leg for separate relay teams. Heesoo’s team finished second overall, while Yeonsoo’s team secured third place.
Youth participation grows
Fourteen-year-old Ares Edward earned special recognition as the youngest individual competitor. Completing his first sprint triathlon, he drew strong crowd support while successfully navigating all three disciplines and crossing the finish line.
Organizers said the strong turnout of beginners and youth athletes reflects the event’s role as an entry point into the sport.
International event coming to Palau
Race officials also announced that World Triathlon has awarded the March 21 Federation Cup to Palau. The event was relocated from Guam due to travel restrictions affecting several Pacific Island nations.
According to organizer Leah Asanuma, Palau was selected as a backup venue based on its proven capacity to host major competitions, including events during the Pacific Mini Games. Participating teams reportedly agreed quickly once Palau was proposed.
Community effort
Organizers thanked volunteers, safety personnel, sponsors and the Meyuns community for supporting race operations.
The Dare to Tri Sprint Triathlon is designed to build grassroots participation, with organizers expressing hope that many of Sunday’s first-time finishers will return as future competitors — and potential national-level athletes.