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Master athletes top 3rd July 4th 2-miler
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Posted on Jul 05 2023
From left, Run Saipan’s Simon Necesito, third place Aaron Pamintuan, first place Kosuke Sato, and second place Theo Rodgers pose for a photo after the the 3rd Annual 4th of July Independence Day 2-Mile Race yesterday morning.(LEIGH GASES)
Oceania Athletics Masters Championships gold medalists Kosuke Sato and Rosemarie Chisato started Liberation Day strong as they topped the 3rd Annual 4th of July Independence Day 2-Mile Race yesterday morning.
Joined by 47 others plus one four-legged friend, they made their way north the fastest along the Beach Road Pathway from the Garapan Fishing Base to Naked Fish and back.
Sato completed the course just 26 seconds shy of last year’s first place time at 12:26, while Chisato crossed the finish line at 15:57.
Second to Sato was Theodore Rodgers at 13:13 and third went to Aaron Pamintuan at 14:49. In the women’s division, second place went to Jessica Ortizo with a time of 16:49 and third place went to Marilou Carlos with a time of 18:10.
For Sato, he said “I just wanted to come out in the morning and run then celebrate July 4 at the parade later.” He said his wife, Chiharu, will walk the parade for the Japanese Society of the CNMI.
First place Rosemarie Chisato, center, second place Jessica Ortizo, second right, third place Marilou Carlos, second left, pose with Run Saipan’s Simon Necesito, left, and Robin Sapong, right, after the 3rd Annual 4th of July Independence Day 2-Mile Race yesterday morning.(LEIGH GASES)
About the course, he said “it was a little bit humid and hot—it was wet after the rain, but it was a nice race.”
Chisato, for her part, said the course was alright.
“The course was OK and the weather was just fine as it wasn’t that hot yet. I just had to avoid the puddles of water along the street. It was an enjoyable run overall,” she said.
Edward Dela Cruz Jr., Run Saipan president, said of the race, “I was very happy with the amount of people who ran it within the short few days we had when we opened up registration. There were a lot of people who returned for the third year in a row so it looks like we have a good group of runners making it a 4th of July tradition. Hopefully we get as big as the NMA Turkey Trot. I’m very happy and thrilled with this year’s results.”
A total of 47 runners plus one four-legged friend took part in Run Saipan’s 3rd Annual 4th of July Independence Day 2-Mile Race yesterday morning.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
He added, “For the fourth year installment I hope SSG Pocaigue will bring his whole unit to run it next year. I will even open up a unit only category for the men and women of the 9th MSC and 100th BN 442nd IN. Nothing would scream America harder than Beach Road flooded with U.S. Army Black and Gold runners on America’s birthday.”
