Bachani, Chisato conquer ‘Stairway to Heaven’

Dev Bachani and Rosemarie Chisato were on Cloud 9 last Saturday after topping Run Saipan’s “Stairway to Heaven” race from the Last Command Post to Suicide Cliff in Marpi.

Bachani completed the uphill race in a lung-busting time of 25:43, while Chisato touched the rail at southern end of Suicide Cliff in 33:52.

“It was good and it was challenging but at the end there was a good reward—finishing,” said the 16-year-old Bachani.

The Marianas High School student said he has only took part in one track and field event in his young life but it wasn’t the first time he ran up the 800-foot Suicide Cliff.

“It’s my second time to try the route. Going uphill is one of my favorites,” he said.

Chisato, for her part, said running up Suicide Cliff was a great experience but still hard to do.

“The run was a little bit tiring and challenging since it’s going uphill. I practiced before with my friend,” said the 45-year-old Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, Philippines native.

What makes her first place finish in the race more amazing is Chisato only started running as a hobby last January.

Officially called Underground 5K 21.7, the race saw new faces atop the leaderboard after usual top runners either begged off or were simply late for the competition.

Run Saipan coordinator Edward Dela Cruz said Shuji Kuroda and Michiteru Mita had prior commitments and Tania Tan was still under home quarantine. As for Marshall Hoskins and Tania Cabrera, they were simply late for the 6:15am start time.

“I just woke up late. They don’t need a handicap [from me] those runners are powering especially at that hill on the end. I couldn’t catch them. It was a good run. I would have to say though that running up to Mt. Tapochao was harder. This, you have like flat parts and going down but you also have pretty intense climbs. I’ll set an earlier alarm next time. That’s all I need,” said Hoskins, who completed the race in 29:26 but had a split time of 25:26 if you take into account the 5-minute “head start” he gave to Bachani and company.

Cabrera still finished third for the women with a time of 38:32. Her split time was 34:27. Coming in second for the women is another relatively new runner, Ann Bang, who negotiated the course in 37:44.

As for the rest of the Top 3 for the men, Taro Goto was second with a time of 26:38, followed by Cody Shimizu at third with a time of 28:48.

Participants of Run Saipan’s Underground 5K 21.7 “Stairway to Heaven” race pose for a group photo after completing the lung-busting course at Suicide Cliff in Marpi. (Mark Rabago)

“Amazing job to all our runners today that tackled the tough incline course of Suicide [Cliff]. Strong work and congratulations for overcoming a tough obstacle. We are proud of each and everyone of you,” said Dela Cruz in a social media post.

He also have kudos to “early birds” Hoskins and Cabrera for powering on despite coming in late for the start.

“Also strong work to Tiana and Marshall Hoskins for starting late by 5 minutes but still caught up to the pack and did their best to finish. What a comeback!”

Dela Cruz also gave a shout out to one of Run Saipan’s volunteers who will be going off-island.

“Thank you to our amazing volunteers today. Everyone should know our faces by now…Special thank you to Jalen Lucido. He’s been following me all the time to route all our courses this year and time the races. He’s moving back to Hawaii for college so we would like to wish him a safe trip. Thank you for everything you have done for the run community. Keep running out there in Hawaii. You will be with us in spirit.”