Previous Story
2 days left for Saipan Marathon registration
The Saipan Marathon 2017, which is set for March 25, is closing its doors for registration after March 10, which is exactly two days from today.
Saipan Marathon 2017, also known as the Festival of Runs, hosts a variety of three multiple-length marathons all in one day, namely the Saipan Ultra Marathon at 50km or 31.07 miles, the Saipan Marathon at 42.195km or 26.21 miles, the Saipan Half Marathon at 21.0975km or 13.11 miles, and the Saipan 10km at 10km or 6.21 miles.
The price for the Saipan Ultra Marathon and Saipan Marathon is $65 while $55 is for the registration fee for the Saipan Half Marathon and Saipan 10km for both U.S. and CNMI citizens.
Junior high and high school students get a discount, with a registration fee of $40. Students must provide an ID in order to avail of the discount.
Inclusive in the registration fee is an awards banquet, a finishers T-shirt, and a certificate of completion.
The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, or AIMS, along with recognition from the International Association of Athletics Federations, or IAAF, allow finishers of the Saipan Marathon a qualifying slot at the prestigious Boston Marathon.
The event, which is hosted by the Marianas Visitors Authority, is a way to introduce Saipan as a venue available for sports tourism and the like. With numbers of marathon participants slowly dwindling down for the marathon, MVA managing director Chris Concepcion believes the Festival of Runs is an effective way to urge travel to the CNMI.
“We are receiving strong interest from the local community and Japan in the marathon, and we are also looking at expanding our participation from other countries even more [this year],” said Concepcion in an earlier press release.
Registrants are required to pick up the race packets on March 24 at the Paseo de Marianas.
The start for the marathon is at American Memorial Park at 4am for the Saipan Ultra Marathon and the Saipan Marathon, while the Saipan Half Marathon and the Saipan 10km would start at 5am and 5:45am respectively.
Registration forms are available at the MVA office in San Jose and at the MVA official website at www.mymarianas.com. For more information, contact MVA’s Ed Diaz at 664-3210.
