Mami leads Saipan Marathon entries

  Two-time champion Mamiko Oshima-Berger is among the 785 registered participants in this Saturday’s 7th Saipan Marathon.

Oshima-Berger is entered in the full marathon race (42.195km) and is hoping to reclaim the women’s championship she last held in 2009. The Saipan runner took her first women’s tiara in 2008, before losing in 2010 (3:16:14) and 2011 (3:16:28). Last year, she was just less than three minutes behind eventual women’s champion Noriko Hirao (3:14:09) of Japan.

“Hopefully, I could get it (women’s title) back. But, I will not pressure myself too much. I am focus on keeping my pace and not fade out of the race or have cramps. It will be a tough field this year as I learned two top runners from the 2011 Lake Kawaguchi Nikkan Sports Marathon are joining. I raced against them in November last year and I know what they are capable of,” Oshima-Berger said.

After the November race in Lake Kawaguchi, Japan, Oshima-Berger resumed training on Saipan to prepare for this Saturday’s event. She runs five times a week, usually one to one and a half hours on weekdays and about three hours on Saturdays. She also runs at the Oleai Sports Complex oval with Mieko Carey every Tuesday.

This weekend, the former champion is aiming to break her personal best (3:16:14) and complete the second longest race of the day at 3:10:00.

81 to test 50K ultra-marathon

The longest race this weekend will have a grueling distance of 50K and 81 are brave enough to join the newest addition to the annual event.

Besides the two long races, this year’s Saipan Marathon also offers half marathon (13.1 miles/21.1K) and 10K (6.2 miles) events.

Majority of this year’s participants are from Japan, including Japanese comedian Kampei Hazama, who will also host a golf tournament for local and off-island players this Sunday at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort.

“In terms of quality and publicity, the Saipan Marathon continues to improve,” Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio said. “We believe the marathon remains one of our most successful signature events and the event with the greatest growth potential.”

Meanwhile, participants should pick up their race packets this Friday at 4:30pm at the American Memorial Park. Then on race day, the full marathon and 50K race will start at 4:30am, followed by the half marathon and 10K events. MVA is reminding motorist to take extra caution during the race day, especially early in the morning.

“The Saipan Marathon is an excellent opportunity for the Saipan community to put our best foot forward in terms of hospitality,” MVA community projects manager Martin Duenas said. “Drive safe on race morning, tie up your dogs, and cheer for the runners if you’re on the race course.”

This weekend’s event is sponsored by Delta Air Lines, New Balance Japan, Scalp D, Toyo Rice, Coca Cola Japan, and Japan Tobacco.

For more information, contact MVA’s Ed Diaz at ediaz@mymarianas.com or call 664-3210/1.