JP Hero Run winners recognized

Winners in the 10K race of the JP Hero Run Virtual Edition pose with organizers of the event, which was hosted by the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, during the awards ceremony last Wednesday in Garapan. (Contributed Photo)

The Tan Siu Lin Foundation awarded prizes to the winners in the 10K competitive race of the JP Hero Run Virtual Edition last Wednesday.

Kaithlyn Chavez and Shuji Kuroda received $300 each for their runner-up finish in the women’s and men’s division, while Noriko Jim and Rintaro Miyawaki took home $200 apiece. Top finishers Reinier and Melissa Paauwe of Canada will get their prizes ($500 each) via mail.

This year’s JP Hero Run was opened to off-island participants, as there was no actual race due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Runners had to do the single run between Nov. 20 and Dec. 20 at any course of their choice. The Paawues were among the more than 100 off-island runners that joined the annual event. Overall, the JP Hero Run Virtual Edition drew 613 participants.

“We would like to thank all the participants of this year’s JP Hero Run. It was tough hosting this event because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we, at the TSL Foundation, went ahead with the race, as we want to encourage our community to remain active while still following safety protocols at these challenging times,” said TSL Foundation executive director Merlie Tolentino, who handed the prizes to the four winners on-island.

“Congratulations to the winners and all the finishers. We hope to see you in the 2021 edition of the JP Hero Run and hopefully, it will not be a virtual event this time. Let’s stay safe, healthy, and active in 2021 and beyond,” Tolentino added.

Chavez and Jim finished the 10K competitive event of the JP Hero Run under the 50-minute mark with the former clocking in at 45:45 and the latter recording 46:11. Both ran the CPA Airport Field course, joining the more than 100 players and coaches of the CNMI men’s, women’s, and youth national football teams.

Kuroda ran along Beach Road, from Minatchom Atdao in Susupe to R&J Wines in Garapan and back, and timed in at 38:43. Miyawaki, on the other hand, completed the 10K event in New York, but was on-island for a short holiday vacation to personally receive his prize. Men’s division champion and overall first placer Reinier submitted 36:17, while his wife and women’s division top placer Melissa logged 39:21.

In the men’s 10K non-competitive division, the Top 3 finishers were Joseph Yap (58:57), Aaron Pamintuan (1:04:19), and Jared Pangelinan (1:43:00). In the women’s division, Aubrey Castro was ranked first after timing in at 1:02:00 and was followed by Mia Abuan (1:10:37) and Audrey Castro (1:11:00).

For the 5K, Julie Chavez recorded 32:51 to prevail in the women’s division and beat Kailyn Paauwe (35:57), and Phoenix Gross (38:07). In the men’s 5K Kieran Paauwe (24:14) of Canada was joined in the Top 3 by Saipan’s Moshe Sikkel (31:17) and Mark Costales (34:08).

Meanwhile, proceeds from JP Hero Run will be donated to the Marianas March Against Cancer and the Commonwealth Cancer Association. (PR)