The Doc’s in for a 3-peat in Women’s 10K

Dr. Lily Muldoon wins the Northern Marianas Athletics Annual Women’s 10K Run 2023 for a three-peat and breaks the course record at 43:34 last Saturday. (LEIGH GASES)

Good things come in threes and St. Patrick’s Day upped the luck for Dr. Lily Muldoon, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. Medical Director of Public Health, as she clocked in the fastest again out of 40 women for a three-peat in the 3rd edition of the Northern Marianas Athletics Annual Women’s 10K Run 2023 last Saturday.

At 43:34, it is now the course’s new record. She shaved off 15 seconds from her time last year and also broke her first race finish time of 43:42.

Muldoon, however, was never far from second place Akiko Miller’s reach as she sprinted across the finish line a breath’s distance away at 43:42. Student athlete Andrei Kaithlyn Chavez came bounding into third place with a time of 45:53.

For Muldoon and many participants, this run was special as, not only did they run for Women’s Month, they also ran for another good cause—to support awareness of domestic and sexual violence. The finish line was sparkled with the shirt colors of teal, for sexual violence, and purple, for domestic violence, along with headbands that said “Amplify the Movement.”

Muldoon said after the race that domestic and sexual violence, “While this is a problem that impacts all people, women and girls are disproportionately affected. Working in the Emergency Department, we unfortunately see female patients severely suffering after violence. We see bruising, bleeding and broken bones. What we sometimes don’t see is the mental impact and emotional trauma that can remain hidden. Unfortunately, many women only come to the ER for medical evaluation after more serious physical violence. Today is a reminder to all women and girls to speak out if somebody treats you poorly or if you are scared. We are here to help.”

She then recognized the work of the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, or the NMCADSV, which is a nonprofit organization established in 2007 with the mission to promote, nourish, and sustain a collective movement to end violence in the CNMI. The participants ran in solidarity with executive director Maisie Tenorio—who also ran the race, said Muldoon.

According to Muldoon, nurse practitioner Shawna Brennfleck was the original inspiration to use the annual Women’s 10K run as an awareness campaign for these pressing issues. “Brennfleck is active in the community and has worked as an assault nurse examiner and shared with us first-hand the importance of bringing awareness to domestic and sexual violence in the CNMI,” said Muldoon. 

As for the race, she said that the Women’s 10K is always the highlight of her year. “We did the inaugural 10K in 2021 and I have looked forward to the race ever since. I was shocked to learn that I broke the course record by 10 seconds. This year I was planning to “take it easy” at the race because I had worked an overnight shift so was coming from the Emergency Department directly to the start line. But Akiko kept a strong pace and did not let down the entire course. We cheered for other runners together and motivated one another to keep going, at high speeds. I was able to break away with about half a kilometer remaining and have never felt so exhausted crossing the finish line,” said Muldoon.

She added, “I especially enjoyed seeing so many friends on the road who were wearing teal and purple, the colors representing sexual assault and domestic violence. These women motivate me and inspire me to keep training and to speak up.”

NMA thanks the sponsors, donors, and partners of the event which are Marpac Michelob Ultra, Run Saipan, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Department of Public Safety, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Triple J Inc. Saipan, IT&E, and volunteers.

Results of the 5K race will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.