First-timers top Turkey Trot

Longuski completed the 4.2-mile race from Lower Base to Mt. Tapochao in 38:35 to lead 118 other finishers and rule the men’s open division.

The race to the highest peak on the island was a punishing one as the road to Mt. Tapochao is undergoing repairs with more and deeper potholes and ruts greeting morning runners. Fortunately for Longuski, he’s been used to the road condition as he has been running the course for about year.

“It was tough, especially the last few turns. I’ve been running this course for about a year now and when I do practice runs here I stopped at about every 100 meters, but today I have to keep going because there are two guys trying to catch up with me,” Longuski said.

Veteran roadrunner Ketson Jack Kabiriel and young gun Seiya Eda tried but failed to overtake Longuski, who broke away from the lead pack early in the race (past the old Coffee Care Café) in Capital Hill.

Kabiriel came in second overall with his 43:11, while Eda finished third and first in the boys U17 age group after submitting 43:18.

“I joined this morning’s race just to train with my runners. I am happy with Seiya because he had a very good time,” said Kabiriel.

Meanwhile, Russell also finished the race under the 50-minute mark with her 48:32 to top the women’s open field. She placed seventh overall, besting more than 20 runners in her division.

Rusell, Longuski, and Eda along with other division top finishers Gabrielle Race, Lennosuke Suzuki, Conatsu Kaga, Goshi Sato, Kimiko McKagan, Cesar Danao and Irma Halaby.

Kaga prevailed in the girls U12 with her 48:58, which was the eighth best time in the field, while Suzuki logged 52:23 to win the boys U12 division and place No. 22 overall. Race finished 25th overall and her 53:08 was the best time in the girls U17 division.

In the adults races, Sato and McKagan topped the 40 to 49 age group after clocking in at 46:03 and 51:52, respectively, while Danao (44:28) and Halaby (1:06:25) reigned supreme in the 50 to 59 age group.

One-hundred 24 runners registered for yesterday’s race, which Northern Marianas Athletics organized.

“We had a very good turnout today (yesterday) with lots of first timers joining this annual Thanksgiving Day race,” NMA secretary general Robin Sapong.

NMA thanked Hyatt Regency Saipan, Kanoa Resort, Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, IP&E, MARPAC, T Galleria, Joeten Enterprise, and other sponsors and aid volunteers in yesterday’s event.