Saipan celebrates World Walking Day

Over 40 walking enthusiasts woke up early and took the 20-minute drive up to Suicide Cliff to participate in the 3rd Annual World Walking Day Walk organized by SAIWAI last Sunday, May 16.

It’s not often that SAIWAI members begin their walk from such a high location but after learning that it would generally be a downhill trek, majority of the walkers took the challenge head on and completed the 10-kilometer course that ended at Pau Pau Beach.

The participants to the World Walking Day event were made up of local residents, tourists, professionals, and school children.

Cody Race was one of a handful of children who finished the 10-kilometer course and said he felt great after the long walk. “It was a nice walk and I beat my sister and other relatives who just walked the five-kilometer distance.”

SAIWAI member and Ernst and Young accountant Anabelle Ramos also was elated after completing the walk from Suicide Cliff to Pau Pau Beach in Marpi.

“It’s been awhile since I participated in a SAIWAI walk. It was OK. It seemed easier than previous courses probably because it was mostly downhill. I can’t wait for the next event,” she said.

Christopher Lubi, who arrived on Saipan just four months ago, also signed up for the World Walking Day Walk and said it was his first time to join a SAIWAI event.

“I’ve been hearing about SAIWAI from my friends. It’s actually my first time to walk up in Marpi. I usually walk at the American Memorial Park. I liked the experience and would like to join two more SAIWAI events so I could become a member,” he said.

Marlon Estigoy, another SAIWAI member and employee of Hafa Adai Hotel, said that aside from the easier-than-usual pace of the event he also enjoyed the scenery atop Mt. Marpi.

“The view from Suicide Cliff and going down never really gets old. There always is a new angle and it cannot be seen when you motor up or down the mountain. You could appreciate it better if you jog or bike down,” he said.

SAIWAI’s World Walking Day event also included the family of former AGO chief investigator Joe Race, who incidentally got married two days earlier. He tagged along 13 of his new wife Salve’s relatives and his own relatives to join in the walk and thanked SAIWAI for the opportunity.

“I love SAIWAI, because these walking events always bring families together,” he said.

SAIWAI secretary Mario Espeleta readily agreed with Race’s comments and said that such a thing has always been the intention of World Walking Day and SAIWAI.

“World Walking Day was created as an opportunity to focus on IVV volkssport as a family day specially by inviting families and friends to a relaxed physical outdoor activity,” said Espeleta.

SAIWAI vice president Yoichi Matsumura, who gave early birds a 30-minute head start but nonetheless caught up with them at the finish line, said that he was happy with the turnout.

“World Walking [Day] is always a special event in SAIWAI’s calendar. I was happy to see familiar faces and new people in the event. Happy World Walking Day to all.”

SAIWAI celebrated World Walking Day in conjunction with IVV member organizations in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Nepal, Australia, New Zealand, the CNMI and 29 other European countries.

Other walking events SAIWAI has slated for the rest of the year are the 3rd Annual Pan Pacific IVV Saipan Festival Walk on June 26; the 3rd Annual Foundation and Family Day Walk on August 21; the Heart of the Marianas Fitness Fair Walk on September 25; and the 4th Annual Thanksgiving Day Walk on November 20.

For more information on the rest of SAIWAI’s walking activities, please contact Bea at 322-2725 or Mario at 322-8876.

SAIWAI was incorporated as a non-profit corporation on July 27, 2001 and was established to promote public health through non-competitive walking.