Marianas Coffee Trail Run set for Jan. 28

 One of the region’s most invigorating early morning runs returns to the Northern Marianas on Jan. 28, 2012, with the 5th Marianas Coffee Trail Run.

The event will feature a 10-kilometer short course and a longer course through some of Saipan’s most challenging and scenic terrain. Beginning and finishing at Micro Beach at American Memorial Park, the race rises 1,500 feet to the highest point on the island-Mt. Tapochao-following twists and turns through the mountaintop before returning to the finish line. The course takes runners through wild coffee plantations planted in the Japanese-colonial era of the island and through the young coffee groves of sponsor Marianas Coffee Co. Competitors will also be rewarded with sweeping panoramas of the Pacific Ocean and Philippine Sea.

“Last year we extended the long course to 30K, an international standard, but the course elevation was a huge challenge to many participants, so we are considering returning to our initial course length,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects manager

Martin Duenas. “We’ll be announcing that shortly, and look forward to a great turnout.”

Registration made by Jan. 19, 2012, will be $15 for ages 12 and under and $30 for ages 13 and above. Registration after Jan. 19, 2012, will be an additional $10.

All participants will receive a finisher’s T-shirt, certificate of participation, and free entry to the awards banquet. The banquet will be held at Micro Beach at 11:30am on race day.

Awards, including Marianas Coffee giveaways, will be given to the first, second, and third place finishers in the male and female divisions. Walkers for the 10K are also welcomed.

The event is also sponsored by KFC Triathlon Club Japan, TEAM PDI, and Northern Marianas Athletics.

Registration forms are now available at the MVA office in Oleai. For more information, contact Ed Diaz of the MVA at ediaz@mymarianas.com or 664-3210.

Northern Mariana Islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota are a chain of idyllic islands in the West Pacific, offering a friendly, fun and exciting vacation in paradise. They are an excellent destination for families, adventure and sports-minded travelers, as well as business people looking for a tropical haven.

Adventurous travelers from Asia, Australia, Europe, and elsewhere looking for new travel discoveries will find them in the Mariana Islands, just three hours travel from most cities in Japan, and four from Asia and Australia. The Northern Marianas are served from Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka in Japan by Delta and Asiana Airlines. From Korea, Asiana Airlines provides direct flights from Seoul and Busan. Fly Guam/Fly Marianas provides direct flights from Hong Kong and Nagoya, Japan. For more information visit www.mymarianas.com. (PR)