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PowerAde Banzai Marathon set Sept. 27
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Posted on Sep 13 2008
It’s all systems go for the 3rd Annual PowerAde Banzai Memorial Off-Road Half-Marathon and Fun Run, the organizing Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation announced early this week.
The event would be held at the Banzai Cliff in Marpi and participants need to register at 5:30am with a fee of $10.
The half-marathon race will start at 6am while the Fun Run begins at 7am.
NMITF race organizer Brad Ruszala said that in keeping with the tradition of the race, all proceeds from each race will be donated to the local athletic community.
Recipients from the first two years were the Saipan Swim Club and Northern Marianas Athletics.
“I’m also looking for volunteers on race day so please contact me via email,” said Ruzala, who can be contacted at 287-BRAD (2723).
Ruszala further explained that the race aims to build a locally organized event supported by the local community with a local beneficiary.
“Eventually I would like to see this blossom into one of the CNMI’s signature events without having to ask for any money from the MVA (Marianas Visitors Authority) or local businesses,” he said.
He said NMITF have been able to rely strictly on in-kind donations from area businesses.
Ruszala said that more companies have been showing great interest to this kind of endeavor.
Aside from PowerAde, the other sponsors are Coca-Cola, Foremost, Subway, Glimpses, PTI, and NMA.
Last year, Eli Torgeson won the 2nd Annual Banzai Memorial Half Marathon in record-breaking fashion with a time of 1:18.04, eclipsing the 1:30.10 set by Yoshi Suzuki the year earlier.
In the women’s side, Mamiko Oshima completed the tricky course in 1:41.46, which was slower than her 2006 time of 1:38.09.
Nate Mateo, meanwhile, topped the Fun Run, crossing the finish line in 27.24. Kimiko Hasegawa topped the women’s division with a time of 32.46.
