Barrios tops half marathon time trial

From left, Jay-ar Equia Barrios, Rosemarie Chisato, and Jalen Lucido pose after completing Run Saipan’s half marathon time trial from Hyatt Regency Saipan in Garapan to Pacific Islands Club in San Antonio and back last Saturday. (Contributed photo)

Jay-ar Equia Barrios topped Run Saipan’s half marathon time trial from Hyatt Regency Saipan in Garapan to Pacific Islands Club in San Antonio and back last Saturday.

The 38-year-old long-distance runner finished the 21-kilometer course in 1:52:38.72. Coming in second is Jalen Lucido at 2:09:10, while third place and the first woman to cross the finish line is Rosemarie Chisato 2:18:36.7. Three other runners took part in the long course: Ann Bang (2:52:47.1); Moji Kamote (3:16:32); and Simon Necesito (3:16:32).

Barrios, whose personal best in the half marathon is 1:49.00, said he was just trying to get back in shape and that’s why he took part in the time trial.

The Davao City, Philippines native has been running the past three years and has been one of the more active runners of Run Saipan.

Run Saipan coordinator Edward Dela Cruz congratulated all the participants of the half marathon time trial.

“Amazing job to our runners that wanted to test out there half marathon time this morning. They all went out strong and finished strong this morning. No one gave up! For some it was their multi-time but wanted to see where they were at. For Rosemarie Chisato it was her first time. So, congratulations and welcome to the 21K club!” he said on a social media post.

Dela Cruz added that the reason he chose the Hyatt-PIC route is because it’s an official half marathon course. “It’s a certified course regardless what your GPS, smart phone, or Strava cutting you short. They had an accurate distance and race time results,” he said.

He added that while Run Saipan doesn’t conduct half marathon time trials as regularly as their monthly 5-kilometer runs, they still do it as an introductory run for those wanting to tackle 21 kilometers or for those who just want to gauge their fitness level in the half marathon.

“The purpose of the time trials is if people want to know where they are at or for people that never attempt it before. They would run the official race route. Club members serve as timers and also water side stations so runners can focus on just running,” he said.

The previous half marathon time trials Run Saipan conducted saw Dela Cruz himself top the event last March and Sildrey Veloria follow suit last April.

In the March event, Dela Cruz negotiated the straight route from Coral Ocean Point Golf Course in Obyan to Kensington Hotel in San Roque in 1:48:34. He was followed by Gerald Galang at 1:48:34 with Christopher Aninzo rounding out the Top 3 at 1:58:55. The rest of the hotel-to-hotel runners were Terence Leung (1:58:55); Anastasiia Dela Cruz (2:05:36); Jalen Lucido (2:05:36) Jay Muna (2:18:23); Shiela Mabutas (2:30:05); and Simon Necesito (3:14:21).

Dela Cruz said the March 21K was a unique course because it was a trial test to create a new half marathon race in the future separate from the Marianas Visitors Authority’s regular marathon race.

“I really hate out-and-back courses. So we developed a hotel-to-hotel race course where runners don’t have to worry about turning back. It’s better for competitive athletes too because they do not have to run back through traffic from slower runners,” he said.

In the April half marathon that used the classic route from Hyatt to PIC and back, Villoria tackled the course in 2:08, followed by Tiana Cabrera (2:08:00), Gerald De Guzman (2:42:34), Jalen Lucido (2:42:34), and Edward S. Dela Cruz (2:42:34).

Run Saipan roadrunners are at it again this Saturday when Dela Cruz and company hold the Underground 5K 21.7, rightfully dubbed “Stairway to Heaven” run as it starts at the Last Command Post (restroom area) and ends at the top of Suicide Cliff. It will start bright and early at 6:15am with a 6am sign-up time.