Marathon needs support for aid stations

With less than three weeks until Saipan hosts its first ever marathon, race organizers are still scrambling to garner support for six aid stations that will help support the endurance testing runners along their 26.2-mile journey along the island’s spine.

According to Northern Marianas Athletics president Kurt Barnes, the longest race in the history of the Marianas is looking to the business community for volunteers to man the water stops—an integral part of any long distance event.

Another problem may be looming as it also looks like there may be difficulties obtaining help from the Department of Public Safety. DPS representative Val Hocog said that there are routinely between one and three traffic units on duty when the marathon is scheduled to get underway at 3:30am, and that he needed to check with his superiors before committing any level of support.

The watchful eye of the DPS is crucial, as last year welcomed a combined 249 runners who made up the 24th Annual Saipan Half-Marathon and 10km races. While more are expected to come out with the addition of the full marathon, Barnes said that he is not expecting big numbers for the inaugural event.

“It would be great if we could get more than 50, but if we get 50 it will be successful,” he said.

As of last Thursday, Barnes had walked the length of all but 2km of the 42.195-km course with a wheel to measure the exact distance. After logging 25.7 miles of road, the NMA president said that the location of the turn around point will be a little different than originally planned.

“The first turn will be just past the (Kan Pacific Swimming) pool in Marpi at the entrance to Wing Beach Drive. I still have about 2,000 meters to go, but I don’t think that we will have to go up the hill past the PIC,” said Barnes.

Barnes also said that the exact location for the 10km turn around will be across the street from Eric’s Air Conditioning on Beach Road instead of near the Oleai Bar and Grill.

The cost to tackle the longest race in the history of the CNMI is $35, and the fee for the half-marathon and 10km will remain the same at $25, but in an effort to curb the rush of last-minute entries, organizers are adding a $10 fee to anyone not registered for either of the three races by Friday, January 13, at 5pm. Registration will, however; remain open with the penalty pricing until the following week on Friday, Jan. 20, at 5pm.

History will be set in January when the top three runners in the male and female division take the tape as first ever finishers.

Last year, Jung Young Kim and Marcan Aldan topped the 215-runner field during the 24th Annual Saipan Half Marathon & 19th Annual 10-kilometer Fun Run, respectively, and this time around the top three male and female finishers winners of the 21.1km and 10km as well as the age groupers in the 14 & under, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 and above will be rewarded.

For more information about the Inaugural Saipan Marathon, the 25th running of the Saipan Half-Marathon, or the 10km, contact Ed Diaz at MVA by calling 664-3210, or Barnes by calling 235-5853 or via email at kurtproa@yahoo.com.