Over 800 sign up for Hafa Adai 5K; Triple J hosts photo contest

The 3rd Annual Pacific Islands Club (PIC) Saipan Hafa Adai 5K offers a colorful adventure for the more than 1,000 runners, walkers, joggers and strollers expected to hit the streets of San Antonio this Saturday to raise funds for the Northern Marianas Chapter of the American Red Cross.

More than 800 participants have already registered for this year’s event, which will feature a photo contest with prizes from the Triple J family of companies. To enter the photo contest, visit the Triple J display car parked next to the stage at the PIC Hafa Adai 5K Fun Run and take a picture with the Triple J Fun Frame.

To submit an entry, simply “Like” the Triple J Motors Saipan Facebook page and tag your photo with #3J5K2016. Winners will be chosen by the amount of “Likes” received so be sure to share, share, share! The photo submission that receives the most “Likes” will win dinner for four at Tony Roma’s, while second place will receive free Bumper-to-Bumper maintenance service from Triple J Motors and third place will receive a special gift from Triple J.

Registration begins at 6:30am, followed by a special Zumba session warm-up at 7am. After the 5K, which will begin at 7:30am, participants have the chance to walk away with over $500 in cash and prizes during PIC’s largest Rock, Paper, Scissors contest.

Since its inception, the PIC Hafa Adai 5K has raised $16,000 for local non-profit groups. Last year, the event raised $10,000 for the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. This year, race proceeds will benefit the Northern Mariana Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross.

PIC Sports, Entertainment and Activities director, Glenn Policare launched the PIC Hafa Adai 5K in 2014 as a way to promote physical activity and raise funds for local organizations. The race has since become one of PIC Saipan’s signature events.

While the Red Cross may be this year’s beneficiary, PIC has pledged an additional $1,500.00 in sporting equipment to be distributed to three local schools. According to event director Keoni Ichihara, the elementary, middle and high schools with the most paid participants in the PIC Hafa Adai 5K will take home the top prize.

“The PIC Hafa Adai 5K allows each and every student on Saipan to step up and represent their school,” Ichihara said.

The elementary (grades 1-5), junior high/middle schools (grades 6-8) and high schools (grades 9-12) which have the most paid entries into the Hafa Adai 5K will earn their respective school some brand new sporting equipment. To date, more than 20 schools have registered participants into the 5K, including Agape Christian School, Dan Dan Middle School, Eucon, Garapan Elementary School, Grace Christian Academy, Gregory T. Camacho Elementary School, Hopwood Junior High School, Kagman Elementary School, Kagman High School, Koblerville Elementary School, Marianas Baptist Academy, Marianas High School, Mount Carmel School, Oleai Elementary School, Saipan Community School, Saipan International School, Saipan Southern High School, San Vicente Elementary School, Seventh Day Adventist School, Tanapag Junior High School, and William S. Reyes Elementary School.

The 5K course will start and finish at PIC Saipan and will feature five different coloring stations along the Beach Road route. Participants are encouraged to wear white attire so the full effect of the coloring stations can be seen post-race. Volunteers will be celebrating each runner’s arrival by greeting them with “holi powder;” a biodegradable mixture of corn starch and food coloring.

Registration for the PIC Hafa Adai 5K is only $10 and entry forms are available at Triple J Motors on Beach Road, the PIC lobby, Gold’s Gym, Boarderline, NMI Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Marianas Visitors Authority. All completed entry forms must be turned in to the PIC front desk.

For more information, please contact Ichihara at 237-5147 or visit PIC’s website www.picresorts.com/saipan/. (PR)