Kento posts fastest time in Escape from Managaha

Kento Akimaru rushes to the Micro Beach shore to complete last Saturday’s 2017 Escape from Managaha. (Contributed Photo)

As expected, perennial first finisher Kento Akimaru completed the 2017 Escape from Managaha ahead of the pack.

Kento clocked in at 32:55 in the 2.4-kilometer crossing from Saipan’s famous island to Micro Beach to rule the race for the eighth straight year. His time in last Saturday’s swim was also his fastest since he started dominating the swim in 2011. The Then 10-year-old Kento posted 40:04 to lead the finishers in the 2011 race. His other times were 38:09 (2012), 38:00 (2013), 36:50 (2014), 38:06 (2015), and 33:25 (2016).

Joining Akimaru in the Top 3 of last weekend’s Escape from Managaha were Jinnosuke Suzuki and Christian Villacrusis, who submitted 33:39 and 35:44, respectively. Last year’s No. 2 finisher and Jinnosuke’s brother, Lennosuke, dropped to fourth place with his 36:05, while David Boyer rounded out the Top 5 after recording 36: 37.

Forty-five out of the 47 who started the race made it to the finish line with some using fins and snorkels to complete the challenging course. The race began at 6am and cut-off time was one and a half hours with the last finisher making it to Micro Beach with about six minutes to spare.

“The event was a huge success. Despite the choppy conditions there were several first time crossers. It was a great way to start the morning,” said coach Jacoby Winkfield of the organizing Saipan Swim Club.

“The Saipan Swim club would like to thank all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to organize this year’s swim. Thanks to the Department of Public Safety, Boating Safety for the excellent protection on the water as well as rest of the safety crew who battled the choppy waters to ensure the participants made the crossing. Thank you too to Eddie Johnson and his World Resort lifeguards and the extra level of safety they add to the event,” he added.

The 2017 Escape from Managaha was among the last few races in SSC’s calendar of events for the 2016-2017 season.

Next weekend (April 29), SSS will have the 2017 Sak Sprint Meet, which will be on its second year and is being held in recognition of club founders Bil and Jeane Sakovich. The meet will run from 7am to 11am at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool.

Then from June 30 to July 2, SSC will send its swimmers to Hawaii for the 69th Keo Nakama Swim Meet that will take place in Mililani, Oahu.

“Thanks to Doug Brennan and Atkins Kroll (Saipan) Toyota whose contribution will go to supporting SSC swimmers in the 69th Keo Nakama Swim Meet. The ‘Keo’ a premier long-course meet which attracts clubs from Hawaii, U.S.mainland, and club teams worldwide,” Winkfield said.