121 participates in Silver Streak Fun Run

Runners cruise along Beach Road during last Saturday’s 21st Annual Tom Picarro Memorial Fun Run. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Jess James led the finishers in the event also dubbed as Silver Streak Fun Run, completing the longest race of the day (7K) in 25:39. James surpassed the winning time of 2013 No. 1 overall finisher Nathaniel Eugenio (30:08). James was in the company of triathlete Charlie Sendin, barefoot runner Chang Whang Jang, and Saipan Southern High School’s multi-sport athlete Seiya Eda on their way to the turnaround point at the Japanese tank across Quartermaster Road before breaking away from the group near the Garapan Basketball Court on his way back to the start/finish line in front of the DFS Galleria store.

Sendin settled for the second overall finish after clocking in at 26:43 and took the top honors in the men’s 31 to 40 age group. Eda was the third overall finisher and with his 27:23, he won the first place prize in the boys 13 to 19 age group.

Lorie Hutchison was the fifth overall finisher and first in the women’s after submitting 28:49. Other top finishers in the 7K were Kayla Ito (12 to 18), 21 to 30’s Pipit Ball and John Nekaifes, 31 to 40’s Yumiko Mizuno, 41 to 50’s Sakiko Eda and Eugenio, 51 to 60’s Cesar Danao and Marie Sablan, and over 60’s Jang and Suzy Kindel.

In the 3K race, the top finishers were the men’s divisions Toshi Satake and 10-year-old Conatsu Kaga. Satake completed the course that brought runners to as far as the 13 Fishermen Monument and back to DFS in 13:12 to beat Amami Sakano, who clocked in at 14:23 and topped the boys 13 to 18 age group.

Kaga was the third overall finisher and the fastest among the female participants in the 3K race, as she timed in at 14:38.

Completing the first place finishers list in the various age groups were U12’s A.G. Kaipo Dikito and Coume Kaga; 13 to 19’s Angel Marie Tan; 21 to 30’s Edwin Correa and Christina Tudela; 31 to 40’s Ferdie Arago and Ana Marie Manansala; 41 to 50’s Ariel Lansangan and Heng Gao Piliwale; 51 to 60’s Renato Calage and Mihoko Sakano, and over 61’s Jeff Schorr and Anita Baguino.

The top overall finishers in the 3K and 7K and the age group champions received gift certificates from DFS during the awards ceremony hosted by DFS assistant general manager (sales) Ben Babauta. DFS Saipan general manager Bruce Lorange was also present at the awards ceremony after participating in the race and helped out in the awarding of gift certificates and raffle prizes.

“We would like to thank all the participants for taking part in the race held in memory of former DFS president Mr. Tom Picarro. We look forward to seeing all of you next year,” Lorange said.