Hafa Adai 5K draws some 600 participants

The Hafa Adai 5K drew around 600 participants last Saturday. (MARK RABAGO)

Around 600 community members signed up for last Saturday’s Hafa Adai 5K that started from the Pacific Islands Club Saipan up to the Aquarius Beach Tower Hotel and back.

The color run featured five stations where runners were doused with yellow, red, green, blue, and pink “holi powder” made from a biodegradable mixture of cornstarch and food coloring. 

Veteran runner Simon Necessito couldn’t get enough of taking part in a color run again.

Saipan Community School teacher Raniel Santos poses after the color run.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

“It’s always an interesting event when colors are involved. I thought the rain was going to affect the run that day but it didn’t.  I think what was unique was that they added a mini game for the run which was a nice addition. What you have to do is perform the test of strength challenge but with one hand. You get a prize afterward if you successfully hit the bell. Overall, it was a great event,” he said.

Another Run Saipan member and local disc jockey, Zaiyra Ganacias, said she and her friends had so much fun it was hard to believe they ran a 5K.

“I couldn’t believe it when we approached the finish line. It seriously felt like only 2 kilometers. I guess time flies when you’re having fun,” she said.

Saipan Community School teacher Raniel Santos, meanwhile, equated the varying colors of powder used in the event to the diversity of the people who ran it.

“There were different kinds of ages, different kinds of runners (including walkers), and different kinds of people all gathered together for the sole purpose of fun, recreation, exercise, and mission. It was memorable because everyone was genuinely happy and it showed not just in the faces of the runners but also in the faces of those throwing the colored powder. This is my second color run experience and I found it challenging because the path was a little narrow but it was still worth it nonetheless. Looking forward to more activities in the community!” he said.

E-Land Group corporate social responsibility manager Lindsey Ahn speaks to participants before the start of the Hafa Adai 5K. (MARK RABAGO)

E-Land Group corporate social responsibility manager Lindsey Ahn echoed what Santos said when she spoke before the start of the Hafa Adai 5K.

“Everyone has white T-shirts and soon they will be splashed by five different colors and this represents the island’s diversity. The splash of colors will create random patterns, unexpected shapes, but it’s going to be beautiful. That somehow represents our community here so everyone has a different story and a different background, but everyone equally contributes to the beauty of this community,” she said. 
Ahn then proudly reminded everyone that proceeds from the event will be donated to the Northern Marianas Humanities Council.

NMHC board chair Bobby Cruz, meanwhile, thanked E-Land and PIC Saipan for choosing the council as this year’s beneficiary of the Hafa Adai 5K.

“The council is committed to navigating the human experience and telling the story of the indigenous and also the diverse groups of all the people in the Marianas. That means our job is to tell your stories.  By telling these stories we get to understand our history, we can be more critical about whether or not history is correct and we can take back how we understand history, as well as think about the present and understand whether we are making the right decisions today that will reverberate in our future,” he said.

NMHC executive director Leo Pangelinan seconded Cruz in thanking E-Land and PIC Saipan and added that the Hafa Adai 5K in a way is a microcosm of what the council strives to achieve.

“It’s wonderful to be able to partner with E-Land Group and PIC. This is the first time for NMHC to be a beneficiary of this wonderful event. I see it has a lot of components and I see a lot of people from different communities come here for one purpose and that’s what NMHC is all about, which is to help the cause of advancing the humanities.” 

The Hafa Adai 5K was sponsored by Kensington Hotel Saipan, Coral Ocean Resort, Bridge Capital LLC, Marpac, and All-Star Sporting Goods.