599 join Saipan Marathon

Five hundred ninety-nine competitors from 14 countries and territories registered for last Saturday’s 12th Saipan Marathon, with 446 actually starting on race day, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority

Two hundred fifty-four competitors hailed from The Marianas, with other countries represented including Japan, Korea, China, the Philippines, USA, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Russia, Nepal, Macau, Guam, Hong Kong, and Great Britain. The race attracted runners for the grueling 50K course, the full marathon, the half marathon, and the 10K course.

Leading the full marathon finishers was Seiya Shimozawa (2:44:28) of Japan in the men’s division, while Kim King-Hinds (3:56:32) of The Marianas topped the women’s division. In the half marathon, Daichi Suzuki (1:19:58) of Japan led the men’s division and Jiyun Lee (1:33:34) of Korea ruled the women’s division. Topping the 10K race and repeating his 2016 first place finish was Keith Longuski (00:38:43) of The Marianas in the men’s division, while Tomoe Yokoyama (00:42:03) of Japan won in the women’s division. Out of 40 men who braved the 50K course, Abe Masaki (3:24:03) of Japan finished first, while Takahama Kasumi (4:02:50) of Japan bested 12 other women.

”The Saipan Marathon continues to grow in popularity every year and with our new AIMS and IAAF course certification, we expect to host even more runners from around the world next year, “ said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “We thank all our sponsors and volunteers without whom we could not put on this great sporting event. We were thrilled to see some eccentric personalities partake in this event, and we hope to launch a costume competition next year, if feasible, to keep the Saipan Marathon lively and appealing,”

This year’s marathon saw the participation of several Japanese comedians who assisted with the presentation of awards, including long-time marathon supporter Kanpei Hazama and Japanese actor and TV personality Makoto Nonomura.

Major sponsors this year were: Delta Air Lines, Scalp D, Earth Chemical, Runtomo, Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, DFS Saipan, and Northern Marianas Athletics. In- kind contributors are: Hyatt Regency, Island Apparel, Saipan Advertising, and Niizeki International Co., Ltd. Additional support was provided by the following government and private sector offices and individuals: Saipan Mayor’s Office, Division of Parks and Grounds, Department of Public Safety, American Memorial Park, Hawaiian Rock Products, Department of Public Works, and Japan Saipan Travel Association.

Aid stations were manned by members of HANMI and other groups, including: Northern Marianas Athletics, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Coral Ocean Golf Resort, Imperial Pacific International, Saipan World Resort, Grandvrio Resort Saipan, Kanoa Resort, Fiesta Resort & Spa, Tasi Tours & Transportation, Pacific Development Inc., Hyatt Regency Saipan, IT&E, Kensington Resort Saipan, Aqua Resort Club, Mariana Resort & Spa, Staywell, Marianas Health Services, Northern Marianas College Nursing, Commonwealth Health Care Corp. Nursing, and Mt. Carmel High School. (MVA)