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Japanese ends Jim’s streak in 10K
Saipan?s Norika Jim cuts the tape for a runner-up finish in the 10K event of last Saturday?s 2014 Saipan Marathon. (ROSELYN B. MONROYO)
Noriko Jim’s reign in the 10K ended last Saturday during the 2014 Saipan Marathon, as she settled for a runner-up finish to Japan’s Asami Okasabe.
Jim, who ruled the 10K event for five straight years, completed the race from the American Memorial Park to Beach Road (across Hakubotan) and back in 44:28. Though her time was faster than her winning mark last year (44:55), Jim was 30 seconds behind Okasabe, who cut the tape in 43:58.
Joining Okasabe and Jim in the Top 6 of the women’s division were the daughter-and-mother pair of Conatsu (49:19) and Ayumi Kaga (51:24), Pipit Ball (52:13), and Yurie Ota (52:22).
In the men’s division, China’s Dongxu Gao took the top honors after logging 34:27. He finished ahead of Yuji Onuma (41:02), Yuichi Kobayashi (41:53), and Saipan’s Seiya Eda (43:51) and Ketson “Jack” Kabiriel (43:52).
The Top 6 overall finishers were honored during the awards ceremony at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan’s beach side, while age group champions were also recognized.
Saipan’s Rintaro Miyawaki claimed the age group crown in the U14 division, as the 9-year-old runner timed in at 49:17. Other age group winners in the men’s division were Saipan’s Dylan Ackerman (15-19, 46:28); China’s Jonghoon Kim (20-29, 52:45); Japan’s Harumitsu Ono (30-39, 49:14); Takao Yonekura (40-49, 46:02); Saipan’s Cesar Danao (50-59, 46:39); and Japan’s Yutaka Yoshi (over 60, 1:00:29).
In the women’s division, Conatsu’s younger sister, Coume, topped the U14 division after clocking in at 1:00:08, while two other Saipan runners won their respective age group. Reylynn Sapong prevailed in the 15 to 19 age group after making it to the finish line at the 1:12:04 mark, while Suzy Kindel ruled the over 60 division after breaking the one-hour barrier with her 59:22.
Completing the age group finishers were 20 to 29’s Ara Cho (52:50), 30 to 39’s Mieko Kadowaki (58:38), 40 to 49’s Yukako Yamamoto (54:45), and 50 to 59’s Kyoko Matsuda (53:07).
