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Youngster Wang almost gave up
Thirty-seven youngsters were part of the over 520 runners that took part in last Saturday’s 2015 Saipan Festival of Runs, which started and ended at the American Memorial Park near Micro Beach.
En Feng Wang (176) and six of his schoolmates sprint toward the finish line of the 2015 Saipan Festival of Runs at the American Memorial Park. Wang completed the 42.2-kilometer marathon course. (Jon Perez)
Among them is 17-year-old Agape Christian School student En Feng Wang, who ran his first marathon and completed the 42.2-kilometer race in 4:15:07 to finish 14th overall and the top age grouper in the men’s division.
Wang, a 10th grader at ACS, regularly practices for long distance races and could have won a gold in last year’s All Schools Cross Country Championship but ran one more lap.
“This is my first marathon but I regularly practice long distance running at least three to four times a week and I prepared for eight months for this,” said Wang through interpreter Rev. Kok Pang, ACS’ president and senior administrator.
Wang, though he had some difficulty running after the 4am start since it was still dark, said that the final 10 kilometers of the race was the real challenge for him and he almost gave up.
“That was the hardest part. I really endured every pace and just kept on pushing myself. I keep on saying to myself that ‘almost there,’” added Wang.
Despite of his experience in his first marathon, Wang said that he is looking forward for next year.
“I will start training again for next year. I’m looking forward for next year and as long as I’m studying here on Saipan,” said the native of Shandong province in China.
Sixteen-year-old Chen Xi Zhao, another ACS student, ran the Half Marathon, coming in fifth overall with a time of 1:45:07.
Both Wang and Zhao said they also play basketball and badminton aside from running.
Pang said that ACS’ mission and vision is to improve the overall aspect of their students.
“We don’t only focus on studies but also with the physical aspect that’s why we participate in sports events. We also have music and our students are among the top in mathematics,” added Pang, who opened ACS in 2007 with only seven students.
