Marianas Coffee Trail run draws Travel Life mag

Bi-monthly Japanese magazine Travel Life travelled to Saipan to cover the 5th Marianas Coffee Trail Run last Jan. 28, an event that attracted 58 competitors led by top finisher Charles Epperson, who finished the long course at 1:35:26, 20 minutes ahead of his closest contender.

The annual signature event of the Northern Marianas drew competitors from the region. This year’s run featured a 10K and a 20K course from the Philippine Sea at American Memorial Park to the peak of Mt. Tapochao, the highest point on island at about 1,500 feet above sea level, and back.

Travel Life mag sent a photographer and writer to cover the event for a two-page May 2012 story that will also feature other island attractions. The full-color magazine introduces world-wide travel destinations with extensive photos. Travel Life targets JTB Gold Card members in Japan and circulates to 80,000 readers. The estimated exposure value of the article is over $21,000.

“While the Marianas Coffee Trail Run continues to offer a strong and challenging course for local competitors, we continue to work to further develop the event and attract more international competitors,” said MVA Community Projects manager Martin Duenas. “Through close collaboration with our Japan partners and publicity through media such as Travel Life magazine, we hope to increase awareness of the event.”

Travel Life also interviewed major sponsors, including president Chuck Jordan of Marianas Coffee and director Kiyokazu Onishi of KFC Triathlon Club of Japan. The magazine also attended the awards ceremony after the run.

Rounding out the winners for this year’s run in the male division of the long course were Antonio Florence (1:55:29) and John Douglas (2:05:29) in second and third, respectively. First in the female division of the long course were Mamiko Berger (1:46:38), Meiko Carey (1:56:07), and Tara Allen (2:13:11).

On the 10K short course, top male finishers were all NMI hometown favorites: Ronald Villafria (50:03:00), Jack Kabiriel (56:45:00), and Thomas Linden (58:48:00). Top female finishers were Imaya Akane (1:13:42), Wantha Aldrich (1:21:17), and Xiangshan Cui (1:23:32).

The Marianas Coffee Trail Run is one of several annual sporting events held by the MVA

to attract visitors and international media attention to the NMI. While in Saipan, Travel Life also took a tour of Managaha, the Garapan Street Market, and historic sites including Sugar King Park. The magazine also covered dinner at Fiesta Resort & Spa and E’sy Kitchen, underwater World War II aircraft wrecks, a Marianas Trekking hike to Forbidden Island, a Las Vegas-style SandCastle dinner show, and shopping at Joeten Shopping Center.[I] (MVA)[/I]