Sponsors pouring in for ‘Run For Ron’

Sponsors have been pouring in for the 5-kilometer “Run For Ron” fundraising event, which races off on May 11 at 6am at Micro Beach inside the American Memorial Park.

The race is a fundraising event for veteran runner Ronald Villafria’s scheduled trip to Tokyo, Japan, where he will compete together with lawyer Steve Pixley in the 2008 Mt. Fuji Marathon or Fuji Tozan race on July 25.

Proceeds of the Sunday fun run would help defray the cost of Villafria’s plane ticket for the Japan trip.

Various individuals and companies have donated prizes to help Villafria in his fundraising race. The prizes would be given away on the day of the event. The Top 3 male and female winners will receive special giveaways.

Throwing in their support are Hard Rock Café, Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation, Pacific Islands Club, LBT Appraisal, Saipan Grand Hotel, Auto Glass Pro, Filipino Bikers Association, Marianas Trekking, Cappricciosa and Tony Roma’s, Johnny’s Bar, Godfather’s, Jazy Sports Wear Guam, and the Saipan Tribune.

The 13 additional sponsors join Pixley, Eli Arago, Ariel Mariano, Susan Espanillo, Fiesta Resort & Spa, Coco’s Restaurant, Tan Holdings Legal Department, Shirley’s Coffee Shop, CTSI, DFS Galleria, SaipanCell Communications, Coca-Cola Micronesia, PTI, and Marianas Brokers Inc. as individual or corporate sponsors for Villafria’s fundraising event.

The first male and female finisher will also receive a trophy, while age division winners will also get exciting prizes.

The first 100 participants who will register for the fun run will also get a free event T-shirt. Registration forms are available at Coco’s Restaurant in Garapan or at Romy’s Auto Glass Pro in Beach Road.

Participants can also register on May 11 and the entrance fee is $10.

As of press time, 20 have already registered for the fun run with more expected to sign up in the day of the event.

The course to be used is the same course in the Club Elan 5K Fun Run organized recently by Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Club Elan.

Villafria said he is thankful for all sponsors who helped him in organizing the race.

Villafria also talked to Northern Marianas Athletics secretary general Robin Sapong to help him in recording the times of the participants.

He said he expects all running enthusiasts on Saipan, who regularly join various races on the island, NMA athletes, and NMITF members will also take part in his five-kilometer fun run.

The Mt. Fuji Marathon or Fuji Tozan Race is composed of two legs, a 15-kilometer race to the fifth station of the mountain and a 21-km race all the way to the top. The final six kilometers of the race is also a trail run.