Muldoon, Gaviola top Race for a Cause

Women’s category winners, from left, first place Dr. Lily Muldoon, third place Jay Anne Felipe, and second place Heather Brooks. Men’s overall winner Ren Ren Gaviola, second from right, second place is Mark Isip, right, and third place Fred Remollosa, third from right, are also in the photo. (LEIGH GASES)

Dr. Lily Muldoon and Ren Ren Gaviola were the overall top finishers in the road bike and MTB divisions of the Race for a Cause sponsored by veteran rider Willy Barbo held last Sunday in Marpi.

Gaviola crossed the finish line with the time of 1:02:04. He was followed by Mark Isip who came in mere milliseconds after him at 1:02:34. Fred Remillosa completed the Top 3 at 1:02:46.

Muldoon, the 37-year-old Department of Public Health director and Commonwealth Health Center Emergency Department physician, clocked in as the fastest woman in the long bike course at 1:08:13. Coming second is Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022 bronze medalist Heather Brook, clocking in at 1:12:07, and third was Jay Anne Felipe at 1:12:30.

Muldoon told Saipan Tribune that it was “another great bike race! I particularly love when they host because there is an electric energy by the organizers, even at 5:30am, and they have the best snacks at the end, including lugaw with boiled egg.”

She added that she, “was nervous about this ride because of the intermittent rain falls that morning and the roads were slick. Having the race end at the top of Suicide Cliff was good for me because I much prefer biking up hill than racing down.” 

“I want to thank the Lion’s Club for hosting such a well-organized and inspiring event. As a healthcare provider, I love to see so many people out moving their bodies and getting their heart rates up on a Sunday morning! Also, it feels good to ride for an important charitable cause. Big shout out to Willy Barbo who used his birthday as a reason to host the race!” said Muldoon.

All Top 3 winners in the women’s and men’s category of the road bike and MTB races received medals.

The long course started at the former Mariana Resort & Spa before heading north to Banzai Cliff then south to La Fiesta Mall before turning around and headed back all the way to Bird Island Lookout before it went up to Suicide Cliff for the finish line.

The short course ran from Mariana Resort to the “Triangle” and back. The short course in the women’s category only had one participant, Marie Sablan, who clocked in at 56:59. In the men’s category, Jomar Manalo topped it and clocked in at 42:15, followed by Rico Manungay at 45:48, and Gabriel Manalansan at 46:06.

Over 60 cyclists joined the second Race for a Cause spearheaded by Barbo, who celebrated his birthday by hosting the bike race just like last year. Barbo thanked the volunteers and the participants for this year’s event. He said “thanks to the donors and for the pledges and support for the cause. I felt overwhelmed and really felt their eagerness to help.”

He said that the money raised will be given to the Saipan Unity Lions Club, of which he is a member of the board of directors and from there, they will determine who to help.