SPC raises over $600 for Micro Cup

Runners head out to the course during last Saturday’s 2019 Sunset 5K Run. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

The Saipan Paddling Club raised more than $600 for its participation in the 2019 Micronesia Cup during the 2019 Sunset 5K Run held last Saturday.

Club president Justin Andrew said the event turned out better than expected, both participation-wise and in terms of fundraising, and he now wants the run to become an annual event for the group.

“The turnout was great. It surpassed our expectations and we are very happy. The club raised over $600. We want to make this an annual event. It’s the club’s way of promoting healthy lifestyle for all, including our friends and families, who do not do paddling,” he said.

The run featured three divisions: masters (40 and above), open (13 to 39), and kids (12 and under). SPC awarded the Top 3 finishers in the male and female divisions in the three categories. The race, which drew over 40 runners, started and ended at Kilili Pavillion with a turnaround point across Monika’s Gallery in Beach Road.

Kosuke Sato led the finishers list and topped the men’s masters division after completing the race in 19:51. Jun Hashimoto and Raymund Tolentino rounded out the Top 3 after posting 22:47 and 25:10, respectively.

In the women’s masters division, Ayano Braxton was the champion after recording 19:51, while Sheila Isla (32:46) came in at second and Ana Hilario (54:52) finished third.

For the open division, JC Libut and Kathleen Tolentino led the finishers list. Libut rounded out the course in 34:59, while Tolentino posted 29:29. Lionel Sanchez (35:37) and Lyle Andrew (56:27) completed the Top 3 in the men’s, while Karen Joy Bahatan (30:46) and Diane Mallori (33:15) joined Tolentino in the women’s podium.

In the kids division, Tyler and Jaden Andrew had a 1-2 finish after timing in at 43:00 and 56:28, respectively.

SPC would like to thank all the sponsors for their support and the club members for making the event successful.

“We would like to thank the TanSiu Lin Foundation for their generous donation of shirts and Robin Sapong of the Northern Marianas Athletics for helping us with the timekeeping/record. We also want to thank our families and friends and all those who come out to take part in our first event. Lastly, I want to extend my appreciation to all our SPC members who put in time and a lot of work to make this fun and a successful event,” Justin Andrew said.

The club will be competing in the Micro Cup next month in Palau.