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Tan leads Saipan finishers in Guam Marathon
From left, Taro Kubo, Tania Tan, Lydia Tan, Sakiko Eda, Rommel Buenaflor, and Florence Antonio pose for a photo after completing their respective races in last Sunday’s United Airlines Guam Marathon. (Contributed Photo)
Saipan International School’s Tania Tan blew past her foes in the 21K race in last Sunday’s United Airlines Guam Marathon.
Tan finished the half marathon course in 1:54:56 to top the women’s 14 to 19 age group competition and lead Saipan finishers in the annual event. She was the lone runner in her division to complete the half marathon under the two-hour mark, as runner-up Katelee McCormic was way behind after timing in at 2:35:30. Kirsten Riley, Lily Sheedy, and Siennah Spriggs rounded out the Top 5 after checking in at 2:1:12, 2:56:45, and 3:09:59, respectively.
The 16-year-old runner managed to rule her division despite having a tougher time on the course, which started and ended at the Gov. Joseph F. Flores Memorial Park (Ypao Beach) in Tumon with a turnaround point at Marine Corps Drive just past the Governor’s Complex in Adelup.
“The course was tougher than Saipan because there were hills whereas Saipan is all flat. The weather was also more humid with very little wind so I was dripping in sweat and right after I finished, rain started pouring so I’m sure the rain affected the runners who were still on the course. The toughest part was probably the hills, because we had to run up a few heading back,” said Tan, who finished second overall in the half marathon event in last month’s Saipan Marathon.
“I am pretty happy with my time, but my goal is to break my Saipan half marathon time (1:50:48), since that is my personal best as of now. I won’t be running any half marathon races any time soon, as I’m now going to focus on track and run the mid distance track events,” added Tan, who will participate in the 2018 McDonald’s/PSS All Schools Track and Field Championships next month.
Meanwhile, Tania’s mom, Lydia, also did the half marathon event in Guam and clocked in at 2:02:49 for fifth place out of the 50 runners who were entered in the 50 to 59 age group.
Other Saipan runners who competed in Guam last weekend were Rommel Buenaflor (marathon/4:07:17); Florence Antonio (half marathon/2:26:56); husband and wife Brad (half marathon/2:54:19) and Kathy Ruszala (half marathon/2:28:21); Ador Dimaano (10K/1:12:04); Sakiko Eda (runner-up marathon/4:14:24); and Taro Kubo (marathon/3:59:53).
