130 runners light up the night

Participants of the 3rd Annual 5K Glow Run pose for a photo at one of the Garapan Fishing Base pavilions before the race last Wednesday as part of Saipan Paddling Club’s fundraising efforts to the 22nd Micronesia Cup Outrigger races in Palau. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Saipan Paddling Club’s  3rd Annual 5K Run Glow Edition was a complete success with 130 participants lighting up Beach Road with their glow bracelets and bands as they ran from Garapan Fishing Base to just past the Japanese  tank memorial and back.

Included in the mix of SPC members’ families and friends last Wednesday were a mix of competitive runners and those who joined just for fun and at  the end of the event, the club raised over $1,000 toward the club’s fundraising efforts to fly out to the 22nd Micronesia Cup Outrigger Races in Palau

In SPC’s first timed run event, Sildrey Viloria came first in the men’s division at 20:39, followed by Michael Mancao at 21:32.12 with Shigeki Tenorio completing the Top 3 at 21:35.

Terra Allen came in first among the women after clocking in at 26:28, followed by Marie Sablan at 26:29 and Ann Bang at 26:42.

In the U18 boys, Pony Tang came first with a time of 20:20, Rex Pixley came in second at 20:50 and Jermaine Salas came in third at 22:11.

In the U18 girls, Miyumi Takahashi came first at 47:43.

The U12 boys division was dominated by Keoni Ruszala at 37:02, followed by Declan Spaeth at 37:39 and Caleb Grant at 38:51.

The U12 girls winner was Adele Tafflinger at 24:29, followed by Faith Arriola at 27:00 and Leilani Ruszala at 27:01.

SPC president Justin Andrew was pretty pleased how the Run Glow Edition turned out.

“The turnout went beyond what we anticipated. We expected about 50 to take part but ended [up] having about 130. So it went really well.” 

The Saipan Paddling Club then thanked Run Saipan’s Edward Dela Cruz Jr. and Northern Marianas Athletics’ Robin for helping them coordinate the event.

“Ed helped from A to Z. He ensured a smooth registration and a fun event. We will not be able to stage the event without his expertise and support. Robin Sapong and the Northern Marianas Athletics as well. Robin worked behind the scenes to help us plan out the event. Thanks to Robin for lending us their race timing system as we were able to accurately log finish times.”

They also thanked James Rabauliman and his Hybrid Shop. “James pulled off what I thought was impossible with [the] time given by printing out 80 event T-shirts on top of printing our Micro Cup Race jerseys in just a few days!” 

They then thanked the parents and children who came out to support, along with the volunteers and Department of Public Safety Officers, and to the high school kids and the adults who ensured a timely start and safe finish. They also thanked Topnotch for the race medals done in short notice.

Proceeds from the event will help send the youth and young adult outrigger paddlers to Palau to take part in the Micronesia Cup Outrigger Races to be held next month from Oct. 20 to 23.

Andrew said that they “are very excited for this year’s race as it will be its first time back after the pandemic.”

The Micronesia Cup Outrigger Race is hosted annually which is rotated among the CNMI, Palau, and Guam.

The races were canceled for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the last time it was held was 2019 in Palau.