Bigger, longer race in Saipan Marathon

  Next month’s 7th Saipan Marathon is expected to draw more than 900 runners with the addition of one more race in the annual competition.

The organizing Marianas Visitors Authority estimates 950 runners to show up in the March 3 race and surpass last year’s record entry of 833 individuals.

“The Saipan Marathon just keeps gaining momentum every year,” MVA community projects manager Martin Duenas. “For 2012, we’re expecting 150 more runners than last year and are adding a 50K course to entice ‘ultra-marathoners.’ Registration this year will close on Feb. 9 to ensure all preparations are made and the race goes smoothly on race day.”

A lot of Japanese runners, including the group of popular Japanese comedian and CNMI Tourism Ambassador Kanpei Hazama, are expected to join the morning race, which will still have the full marathon (26.2 mi./42.195km), half marathon (13.1 mi./21.1km), and 10K (6.2 miles) events.

Last year, Japanese runners were victorious in the marathon races with Satoshi Emoto and Noriko Hirao ruling the men’s and women’s divisions. Emoto timed in at two hours, 44 minutes, and 52 seconds to beat fellow Japanese runner Hidekatsu Kuroda (2:51:38). All the Top 6 finishers in the men’s division were Japanese runners.

In the women’s division, Hirao clocked in at 3:14:09 to foil local bet Mamiko Oshima-Berger’s bid to regain the championship the latter won in 2009.

In the half marathon, Saipan and Guam runners split honors with Amber Sarkkinen winning the women’s division crown for the host and Michael Gaitan dominating the men’s category. Sarkkinen finished the second longest race of the day in 1:43:57 for her back-to-back titles, while Gaitan debuted in the event with the group’s fastest time at 1:20:18.

In the 10K race, Saipan’s Noriko Jim had a three-peat in the women’s division after clocking in a field’s best 43:43 last year. Japanese Takasahi Aoyama took the men’s title for the second straight time with his winning time of 36:36.

Meanwhile, registration (for CNMI and US runners) made on or before Feb. 2 costs only $55 for the marathon and 50K and $45 for the half marathon and 10K. Entry fees after Feb. 2 will have an additional $10, while international rates (for off-island runners) are $100 for the full marathon and 50K and $70 for the half marathon and 10K. Interested individuals have only until 5pm on Feb. 9 to register.

Race packet will be distributed on March 2 at 4:30 pm at the American Memorial Park, while the full marathon and 50K will begin at 4:30am on March 3, followed by the half marathon and 10K events.

For more information, visit www.mymarians.com or http://japan.mymarianas.com/saipanmarathon/ or contact Ed Diaz at ediaz@mymarianas.com or 1-670-664-3200/1.