Previous Story
5th Marianas Coffee Trail Run welcomes walkers
|
Posted on Jan 27 2012
Got a cup of joe in hand and running late, again?
No problem. The 5th Annual Marianas Coffee Trail Run tomorrow, Jan. 28, is accepting registration until 5am on race day and is also welcoming walkers, too.
The annual signature event of the Northern Mariana Islands will feature a 10K short course and a 20K long course through some of Saipan’s most challenging and scenic terrain, starting at 6:30am sharp. Showtime for registered runners is 5:30am. Beginning and finishing at Micro Beach at American Memorial Park, the race rises 1,500 feet above sea level following twists and turns through Mt. Tapochao before returning to the finish line.
“The Marianas Coffee Trail Run is ideal for walkers and runners looking for a new challenge and is a great training race for the Saipan Marathon, XTERRA, and Tagaman in March,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects Manager Martin Duenas.
“Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the course runs through some of the most beautiful parts of the mountain, either.”
The course takes runners through wild coffee plantations planted in the Japanese-colonial era of the island and through the young coffee groves of sponsor Marianas Coffee Co.
Competitors will also be rewarded with sweeping panoramas of the Pacific Ocean and Philippine Sea.
“The Marianas Coffee Trail Run is still growing, and due to the anticipated number of runners, we’re able to register participants right before the race,” said Duenas. “We’re looking forward to seeing many new and returning faces this year.”
Registration is $25 for ages 12 and under and $40 for ages 13 and above. All participants will receive a finisher’s T-shirt, certificate of participation, and free entry to the awards banquet.
The banquet will be held at Micro Beach at 11:30am on race day.
Awards, including Marianas Coffee giveaways, will be given to the first, second, and third place finishers in the male and female divisions. Walkers for the 10K are also welcomed.
The event is also sponsored by KFC Triathlon Club Japan, TEAM PDI, and Northern Marianas Athletics. Registration forms are now available at the MVA office in Oleai.
For more information, contact Ed Diaz of the MVA at ediaz@mymarianas.com or 664-3210. (PR)
