Lee, Bang compete in S. Korea

Chong Nam Lee, left, and Ann Bang pose at the stage near the finish line of the 2023 Morning Riverside International Marathon in Seoul, South Korea.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Run Saipan mainstays Chong Nam Lee and Ann Bang competed in running events in their native South Korea this past month. 

Lee took on the challenge of the half marathon event of the 2023 Morning Riverside International Marathon last June 17 and completed it in a time of 1:57:36:98.

He said there were a lot of participants and although he didn’t place, he tried his very best in the 21-kilometer event staged in the country’s capital, Seoul.

“I was happy to participate in this big marathon event in Korea and I’m very thankful to God for being able to finish the half marathon safely,” he said.

Lee said the half marathon started quite late at 8am so it was already hot.

“The hardest part was having a cramp in my leg about 2 kilometers before the finish line. It was very painful and I almost gave up but thankfully I safely finished,” said the 65-year-old barefoot runner.

Lee dedicated the 2023 Morning Riverside International Marathon to his fellow Run Saipan members. 

Bang, for her part, ran not one but two half marathons while vacationing in the former Hermit Kingdom.

She also ran the 2023 Morning Riverside International Marathon and finished in a time of 2:06:26.

Chong Nam Lee shows off his finisher’s medal after completing the 2023 Morning Riverside International Marathon last June 17 in Seoul, South Korea.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Like Lee, Bang said it was a very late start for a half marathon as it was already summer in South Korea.

“It’s tough because the weather became hot in a week. The race started at 8am and it was too late for runners on a hot summer day. Many more runners participated in this race than in the previous one, so it was very crowded and busy.” 

The 49-year-old said the organizers didn’t prepare enough compared to the previous edition of the Morning Riverside International Marathon.

“During the race I saw many participants becoming exhausted due to the sunny and hot weather. When I arrived at the finish line, they recommended a cup of hot coffee! Unbelievable! Thanks to my familiarity with the hot and humid weather of Saipan, I could complete my race without exhaustion. I got 14th place in this race in the women’s division,” she said.

A week before, Bang also took part in the 2023 Fight Against Drugs and School Violence Marathon, which was her very first marathon event in South
Korea. 

She finished the half marathon event in 2:05:08, good for 19th place among the women.

Ann Bang in action during the 2023 Morning Riverside International Marathon last June 17 in Seoul, South Korea.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

“There were about 1,500 runners in the place. Even though it was raining heavily the night before, the weather during the race day was cool and gloomy, which is perfect condition for runners.”

Bang said the most challenging part of the race was trying to overcome jet lag as she just came off a long flight from Rome, Italy. 

Like Lee, she dedicated her two marathon conquests in South Korea to her fellow Run Saipan members.

“I thought of my running buddies and fellow members of Run Saipan. For several years, I have trained and competed with them, so I could progress, thanks to my friends and Run Saipan.”

Asked what’s the difference between running in South Korea and Saipan, Bang said it definitely was the weather and the quality of air.

“The sun on Saipan is more intense and hotter than in Korea. Also, Saipan is more humid than Korea, especially the air in Seoul is more stuffy due to traffic and pollution.”

Next up for Bang is a full marathon this Saturday, July 1.

Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. congratulated both Lee and Bang for their latest achievements in South Korea.

“Amazing job and congratulations to both Ann and Mr. Lee for running exceptional times. Run Saipan is always proud of its members. Especially for this one being they traveled out of the country to get a race in. Kudos to both. We wish good luck for Ann as she will compete in her first official full marathon debut.”