Eventful KONQER Saipan

KONQER Sports organizers sort of welcomed Saturday’s rainy weather, as it became an added challenge that participants must hurdle to complete the inaugural KONQER Saipan King of the Hill.

Intermittent rain, caused by Tropical Storm Talim, on race day delayed the start and had KONQER Sports officials executing last minute changes for the safety of the participants.

“Of course, the weather caused some havoc for us, but we had a Plan B and executed that to the best we could with little time,” KONQER Sports chief executive officer and race director Kaz Endo told Saipan Tribune.

“This event smashed all my expectations for a first event. I look forward to delivering an even bigger and better event for next year. We’ll also beef up our volunteer team knowledge by 100 percent more to keep the course smoother,” added Endo.

KONQER Sports president Kelli Wedd said the Saipan leg of their three-circuit race was most definitely to remember. “I’d say with the rain winds, and mud, it was an event that we won’t forget.”

“We battled some rain, wind, and delays, but in the end, I think that added to the sense of accomplishment for our KONQER Brigade. Plus, the mud always made it more fun,” added Wedd.

“Seeing people cheer on the Enduro participants as they braved the course solo, watching teams helping their teammates complete every obstacle, and seeing the kids and families having a blast on the course gave us such a great feeling,” said Wedd.

She added that they will improve areas of the race that they see needs to be enhanced.

“With every event, there are always ways to improve for the next one. We will look at ways to improve. [Like] our overall staffing, as well as possibly looking to change the event’s day schedule to maximize the experience for both participants and spectators. The next KONQER Saipan will be even bigger and better,” she added.

KONQER organizers postponed the entire awards ceremony last Saturday due to the heavy downpour . The ceremony will be held tonight at Fiesta Resort & Spa-Saipan’s Chambre Bar from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

They had already awarded the Enduro winners last Saturday with United States Marine Corps Maj. Timothy Patrick claiming top honors with a time of 37:08, followed by USMC Gunnery Sgt. Justin Park (38:36), and Joel Phair (38:56).

Patrick, who won his second KONQER event after ruling the Palau race in June, said he was just pleased to be part of KONQER Sports.

“I’m just happy to be a part of a good cause. KONQER’s theme of ‘wellness through play’ is a philosophy that I fully support. I couldn’t think of a better mantra for today’s parents and youth,” he said.

Terenc Kaho Leung (45:12), Robby Glass (48:44), Paul Plunkett (49:10), Joey Tudela (51:02), Ryan Siddell (55:12), Jonathan Wilberscheid (58:28), and Marjorie Daria (59:11) are in the Top 10 finishers of the Enduro division.

The Top 10 teams will be recognized tonight with the Marianas Outrigger Club (50:10), Gold’s Gym (1:01:22), and Tao Tao Bud 670 (1:02:56) finishing 1-2-3, and the Saipan Fire Department (1:10:15), Kanoa Krushers (1:10:41), Saipan Brewing Co. Beer Brigade (1:11:12), Hyatt (1:13:12), DFS (1:17:10), Pacific Trading Co. Mountain Dew (1:17:25), and Pacific Islands Club-Saipan (1:18:51) completing the list.

D.R. Safety (1:19:33), IT&E (1:22:11), Kimason (1:24:21), Bank of Guam Glow Worms (1:28:42), Fiesta Rockers (1:33:15), Marianas Health (1:34:12), MV Zorrie Warriors (1:36:10), and Shell & CCA KONQER Cancer (1:40:15) were the other competing teams.

Endo said the Top 3 teams will receive trophies, while the next seven will be given certificates and other prizes donated by local businesses on Saipan.

“These teams represented only the timed or competitive categories. The Completion category yielded over a dozen teams with various numbers of participants. All in all, 497 participated in the inaugural event,” added Endo.