‘Run For Ron’ fundraiser on Sunday

Veteran runner Ronald Villafria is inviting all running enthusiasts to support him in his fundraising race on Sunday at Micro Beach inside the American Memorial Park.

Dubbed “Run For Ron,” the 5-kilometer fun run and walk is Villafria’s fundraising event for his 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.

The entrance fee is $10 with registration starting at 5:30am and the race begins 30 minutes after that. Close to 30 have already pre-registered while other local organizations will also let their members join the event.

Registration forms are available at Coco’s Restaurant in Garapan or at Romy’s Auto Glass Pro in Beach Road.

Trophies will be awarded to the top male and female finishers while other prizes are at stake for the second and third placers as well as age group winners. An event T-shirt will also be given to the first 100 finishers.

A number of individual and local businesses also threw in their support to Villafria donating prizes that would be given away in the raffle. A ticket only cost $1 each.

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 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.