Jalen Lucido runs first marathon

Jalen Lucido, second from right, poses with, from left, his social science teacher Summer Maunakeafor, and classmates Kailia and Jordan after completing the 2021 Honolulu Marathon in Hawaii. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Run Saipan volunteer Jalen Lucido checked a box off his bucket list after the 23-year-old Marianas High School alumnus competed in his first ever marathon.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa student competed in yesterday’s 2021 Honolulu Marathon and completed the 42-kilometer run in 4:42:37.

“It was grueling. I would say the first 14 miles was okay but the rest was all heart,” he said of the marathon that started from Ala Moana Beach Park on Ala Moana Boulevard and finished close to the Kapiolani Park Bandstand.

Lucido said competing in the Honolulu Marathon kind of came by accident after his social studies professor, Summer Maunakeafor, pulled out from the event and let him take her spot instead.

“I ran the marathon because my social studies professor did not have the adequate training due to work. So she asked me if I wanted to run it for her, I agreed. Also, I always wanted to run a full-blown marathon, it was always on my bucket list as a running and I am so glad that I got to run it here in Hawaii,” he said.

The Honolulu Marathon was challenging to say the least, especially for Lucido who admitted that he had zero training for a marathon.

“I was training but not specially for a marathon. I trained just to keep in shape and be ready for unexpected things to happen like these.”

The son of Joey and Gemma Lucido of Chalan Kanoa said he was still thankful that weather conditions yesterday helped him finish the marathon.

“Thankfully it was not so hot. It was sprinkling at first, then the sun came out. It was pretty windy at Mile 17 to the point where I could feel the wind dragging me,” he said.

Lucido had a bunch of individuals he would like to thank for his participation in the 2021 Honolulu Marathon.

“First off I would like to thank my social studies professor, Summer Maunakea, for sponsoring me for this marathon and also my two classmates that supported me at the finish line. I also like to thank my coach, Edward Dela Cruz Jr., who shaped the runner I am now. His training programs really helped with my strength, endurance, and speed. His program was built for half marathon so I just wanted to see for myself if I could apply the methods he taught and if it would make me survive a full one,” he said.

Dela Cruz, who is also the president of Run Saipan, congratulated Lucido for completing his first ever marathon and said he will always be proud of him.

“I’m proud of him. Jalen took all the info I taught him and applied it stunningly well. The training program I had him under was to be able to run any race up to a half marathon comfortably. When he told me he was going to run a full marathon I knew he could do it because he’s been consistent with his training and he is a very exceptional runner. Couldn’t be more proud of him,” he said.