Saipan bets dominate Winter Festival of Runs

Saipan runners nearly swept the Winter Festival of Runs Saturday after winning four of six division titles.

Mamiko Oshima-Berger had a record-breaking run in the 42.195-km marathon en route to a successful title defense.

Oshima finished the race that started and ended at Micro Beach at the American Memorial Park in three hours, 22 minutes, 45 seconds shattering her 2008 time of 3:51:58.

“I had an easier time this year, as I ran with a lot of participants. I was able to pace myself well. Although it was a bit difficult at the start of the race because it was still dark, it helped that I knew the course better than most of the off-island participants,” Oshima-Berger said.

More than 100 joined the full marathon with around 40 battling for the women’s division title.

Oshima outraced Guam’s Noemi Neipert (3:35:35) and Japan’s Satomi Yahata (3:37:06).

In the men’s division, 28-year-old Izuru Nakashima crossed the finish line first, timing in at 3:04:44. Two other Japanese runners completed the Top 3, namely Kenichi Tanaka (3:04:49) and Ryuichi Yoshida (3:12:07).
[B] Mieko recovers in half marathon[/B]

After a sixth place finish last year, Mieko Carey finished on top of the field, clocking in at 1:34:54 in the 21.079-km half marathon.

“I had an awful race last year as I was still recovering from an injury,” said Carey, who like Oshima-Berger found the weekend race easier than last year because of the huge number of participants.

More than 170 competed in the half marathon race.

“When you go out there, see a lot of runners, and exchange smiles, it gives you a boost and helps you forget you are getting tired,” Carey said.

Carey defeated for the top place Japan’s Megumi Shoji (1:40:00) and Sayuri Yuyama (1:41:48).

In the men’s division, Jack Kabiriel almost made it 2-0 for Saipan runners in the half marathon when he finished second to Masami Iwamoto.

Kabiriel posted 1:30:00, less than two minutes behind Iwamoto, who clocked in at 1:28:25. Atsushi Yoshimura timed in at 1:30:28 for third place.
[B] Saipan sweeps 10K[/B]

Saipan swept the 10K run with Matt Mancao and Noriko Jim ruling the men’s and women’s divisions.

Mancao completed the shortest race of the day in 40:36 to beat fellow Saipan runners Steve Pixley (42:01) and Yoshi Suzuki (43:24).

Mancao joined last year’s half marathon and cramped after crossing the finish line. This year, he opted for a shorter race and had an easy cruise.

“I was not that prepared for a long course last year and I am really used to running 10Ks,” the Marianas High School student said.

Jim also preferred the shorter 10K run, as she was not able to train for long course races because of family commitments.

Last weekend, Jim was the first female finisher in the 10K and was greeted by her son at the finish line. She timed in at 41:30 outracing Kaori Teramoto (48:03) and Naoko Urakami (49:18).

This year’s Festival of Runs was supported by Northwest Airlines, Oakley, MVA, Northern Marianas Athletics, and DFS Galleria Saipan. Other sponsors are Department of Public Safety, Hawaiian Rock, American Memorial Park, Division of Parks and Recreation, Department of Public Works, and Commonwealth Health Center.