Celis, Tenorio, Bang top 5K Fun Run, Walk, & Roll

From left to right, Run Saipan race coordinator and CHCC Community Health Outreach Worker Evelyn Pangelinan, first place in the stroller division Shoko Celis, and Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. pose after the Mental Health Awareness Month Mind, Body, & Sole 5K Fun Run, Walk, & Roll last Saturday morning. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Shoko Celis, Shigeki Tenorio, and Ann Bang topped their respective divisions in last Saturday’s Mental Health Awareness Month Mind, Body, & Sole 5K Fun Run, Walk, & Roll.

Celis topped the stroller division with a time of 51:59 and second was Donna Ada with a time of 1:47:32.

For the men’s division, Tenorio ran in first with a time of 19:35; Chong Nam Lee was second with 22:27; and Landen Taflinger clocked in third with 22:54.

In the women’s division, Bang clocked in first with 24:44; second was Jessica Ortizo at 26:51; and third was Kaylen Taflinger at 27:09.

From left to right, Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr., second place Chong Nam Lee, first place Shigeki Tenorio, third place Landen Taflinger, and Run Saipan race coordinator Evelyn Pangelinan pose for a photo after the Mental Health Awareness Month Mind, Body, & Sole 5K Fun Run, Walk, & Roll last Saturday morning.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The 5K was hosted by the Commonwealth Healthcare Corps.’ Community Guidance Center in partnership with Run Saipan, Public School System’s Headstart/Early Headstart Program, Haggan Woong United for Recovery, and many community-based partner agencies and organizations. 

“The event aimed to promote physical activity and fitness as a protective factor for good mental health,” said Evelyn Pangelinan, Community Health Outreach Worker, under the CHCC CGC System of Care Program.

From left to right, Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr., second place Jessica Ortiz, third place Kaylen Taflinger, first place Ann Bang, and Run Saipan race coordinator Evelyn Pangelinan pose for a photo after the Mental Health Awareness Month Mind, Body, & Sole 5K Fun Run, Walk, & Roll last Saturday morning. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

For Tenorio, he said “The course was a usual course for me. I usually exercise there after work and many events start from the Fishing Base so I was used to it. These days I walk hills and not much running. But I wanted to try my best to at least go below 20 minutes. It was really hard to keep up the pace but I’m glad I did it. Next time I wanna aim below 19:00.”

For Bang she said “As you know, I’m already used to the course because I run 10K everyday on Beach Road Pathway. ‘Body, mind & Sole’ was the very first event in this local community and it was perfect for all residents.”

“Organizers prepared well for participants, so we could enjoy the event. Actually, my friend encouraged me in the morning of the race that I would win because competitors who run faster than me didn’t participate. I was lucky and so pleased to run in this nice race. I will participate in this event next year,” she added. 

Participants of the Mental Health Awareness Month Mind, Body, & Sole 5K Fun Run, Walk, & Roll pose for a photo after their race last Saturday morning at the Garapan Fishing Base. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

As for the race, Pangelinan, who is also Run Saipan’s new race coordinator, said that “There were about 184 online registrants and about 70 who checked-in on run day. The 5K run event was well attended, with top finisher categories for male, female, and stroller divisions and raffle with 20+ awesome prizes plus incentives for the first 50 finishers at the end. With positive responses from the community, we hope to have the event again next year.”

Pangelinan then said, “We would definitely like to acknowledge and [give] our biggest appreciation and gratitude to so many who were integral in making this event possible.”

The sponsors of the event were Run Saipan, Northern Marianas Athletics, Marianas Visitors Authority, Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, CHCC Mobile Outreach, CHCC Dietary, NMC CREES, Saipan Ice & Water Company, Coca Cola Beverage Company, Marianas Pacific Distributors, Saipan Mayor’s Office, DLNR-Parks & Recreation Division, DFEMS, DPS, and volunteers from PSS, CLI, and Haggan Woong United for Recovery; we also want to thank our donors who support mental health awareness and who promote positive environments for community events such as this: Latte Built, Gold’s Gym Saipan, Triple J Enterprises-Great Harvest and Surf Club, T-Bar Café, Caravan of Food, The Shack Saipan, 4-Ever CNMI, The Pacific Supply, McDonald’s Saipan, Java Joe’s Saipan, and Happy Market As Lito.