104 early birds conquer Turkey Trot

For some, Thanksgiving morning kicked off as it has for the past few years—with a challenging run up to the peak of Mount Tapochao.

A total of 104 early birds challenged the 3.7-mile course yesterday morning, many of whom have done it in the past years, but several others tackled the event for the first time.

It was no surprise when the first runner crossed the finish line as many-time winner Stuart Smith, who competed in the men’s 40-49 division, reigned supreme again after clocking in at an impressive 36:46.

Tom Linden placed second overall, also second in his age group, with a time of 41:04, while Cesar Danao took third overall and third in the age group in 41:48.

The first female finisher was Mamiko Okashima, who continues to make a name for herself by winning another race as she finished in 45:29 to top the women’s 30-39 division.

Rebecca Read placed second overall and in the age group with a time of 48:29, while Kimiko Hasegawa took third overall and third in the age group with time of 52:58.

Other winners include Butch Sublemente in the men’s 30-39 division, Chris Santos and Shannon Quinn in the men’s and women’s open, David Bautista and Haoting Romolor in the boys’ and girls’ 13-17 division, Kathy Yuknauase in the women’s 40-49 division, Chang Wan Jang and Monica Yamaguchi in the men’s and women’s 50-and-over categories, and Angelo Jones and Gabrielle Race in the boys’ and girls’ 12-and-under divisions.

Sublemente placed sixth overall and clocked in at 42:59 to top his division, while Ben Wood and Tamio Nishikido took second and third in 43:46 and 43:49.

For his part, Santos won the men’s open with a time of 44:39, while Erwin Taitano and Koji Kobayashi placed second and third in 45:43 and 45:48.

Quinn was able to conquer the tough course in 55:03, while her sister-in-law Kanae Quinn placed second in 56:39. Third place went to Autumn Beechler, who clocked in at 1:06:20.

Bautista was able to win the boys’ 13-17 division in 42:18, while second and third place went to Mathew Mancao and Gary Camacho in 42:46 and 48:24, respectively.

Romolor is no stranger to first place in her age group and won with a time of 54:34, while Kelun Babauta and Gydia Taisacan followed in 1:03:39 and 1:04:56.

Yuknauase crossed the finish line in 1:04:55 to win her division, while Betty Johnson and Elisa Long placed second and third in 1:09:35 and 1:13:12.

All who competed in the 50-and-over division have much to be proud of, and Jang was able to be the first in the division to finish the race as he clocked in at 43:00 to top the men’s side. Renie Calage and Fred Camacho finished in second and third with respectable times of 46:28 and 48:20.

Yamaguchi was also sensational as she reached the peak in 59:51, while Suzy Kindel and Nguyen Tuyet followed in 59:51 and 1:09:50.

The race was not only tackled by adults and teens as youngsters in the 12-and-under category also stepped up to the challenge.

Jones won with his time of 53:39, while Kenyon Schultz and Garrett Gipson finished in 54:56 and 57:19.

Race was able to top the girls’ field in 1:13:00, while Dominique Austin and Olivia Austin followed in 1:14:00 and 1:15:00.

All first place winners received turkeys, while second and third place winners will receive medals.

The event, organized by Northern Marianas Athletics, served as a fundraiser for the CNMI delegation that will be competing in the 2006 Oceania Under 18/Open Track and Field Championships in Apia, Samoa next month.