Mancao, Myers have the Force in Stars War run

More than 200 signed up for Run Saipan’s 2nd Annual Star Wars Day Run last Saturday at the American Memorial Park. Photo shows majority of the runners pose for a group photo with some, including Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr., Saipan International School headmaster Dr. Ron Snyder, and Northern Marianas College president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, dressed in full Star Wars regalia (MARK RABAGO)

While it wasn’t exactly the Millennium Falcon’s Kessel Run, Michael Mancao and Denise Myers used the Force to top Run Saipan’s 2nd Annual Star Wars Day Run last Saturday at the American Memorial Park.

Mancao almost mirrored the Millennium Falcon’s record-run of 20 parsecs with a run of 20:02.8 in the 5-kilometer run, while her fellow CNMI National Athletics Team member, Myers, won the women’s division in a time 20:08.08.

Rex Pixley finished runner-up to Mancao after clocking in at 20:56, while barefoot runner Chong Nam Lee completed the Top 3 in the men’s division with a time of 22:14.

Run Saipan member Evelyn Pangelinan amazingly finished second to Myers in in the women’s division with a time of 24:38.46 while in full Rey Skywalker costume. CNMI National Triathlon Team Robyn Spaeth was third in 25:21.

Mancao said he used the Star Wars Day Run as part of his training for the upcoming Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022.

“I was just really trying to hit 19 min mark. Every race I get a chance to run I use that for training. The win was just a bonus,” he said.

Mancao, who will compete in the 800m and 3000 steeplechase and perhaps the 1500m in the Mini Games next month, said he will try to run the event in full Star War regalia next year.

“I would love to wear a costume, but didn’t have time to prepare one. Maybe for the next Star Wars event. The race conditions were perfect. You get the morning sun, which is better than rain in my opinion. The course route was perfect as you get a little bit of hills,” said 27-year-old Kautz Glass employee.

Myers, for her part, said she tried her best to catch Mancao, but faded in the end as her teammate turned on the afterburners in the end.

“I was chasing him from the start of the race and finally caught him in the last 1/2 mile of the race, but in that last 1/4 mile he took off! He has a good [finishing] kick and likely more fast twitch muscle fibers than me, but it was fun racing together and pushing each other. The weather was perfect and the course route was shady for the most part. The volunteers made it a great event.”

The health and physical education instructor for the Northern Marianas College said the entire CNMI National Athletics Team—both athletes and coach—have been putting in quality training this past month and for distance athletes like her having weekend races like the Star Wars Day Run are nice.

“I’m planning to run the steeplechase at the Mini Games. The fun run 5Ks have been great but nothing replaces getting out and actually racing against other athletes on the track, especially for the steeplechase. The water jump takes practice and jostling during the water jump can make it even more challenging! Since the 5K is the very last event of the track meet I’m going to run it too, it’s not my best race, but since many athletes will be doing multiple races you never know what can happen. So, I’ll go out and see what type of race I can put together,” she said.

Myers actually wore a Star Wars costume pre-race but ditched it so she could run faster.

“I actually did wear a costume, I just didn’t race in it. A kiddo even told me ‘you look uncannily like Princess Leia.’ I didn’t race in the dress because it would have limited my mobility and been tough to use good running mechanics. My family might be disappointed I didn’t race in it, they are huge Star Wars fans we used to go watch Star Wars movies after our family Christmas parties!”

Results of the team event and winners of the Star Wars costume contest will be published in the next issue of Saipan Tribune.