Nearly 800 runners sign up for Saipan Marathon

Runners head out to the course during the 2016 Saipan Marathon. The 2018 edition of Marianas Visitors Authority’s signature event will hit the road this Saturday. (Saipan Tribune)

More sponsors are backing up Saipan Marathon 2018 that will hit the road this Saturday, lending their support to the Marianas Visitors Authority to make the annual signature event a major draw for international runners.

As of last count, 780 runners had registered for the race.

“Last year we had 599 runners registered for the marathon,” said MVA acting managing director Judy Torres. “Now that Saipan Marathon is certified by AIMS, we have a tremendous opportunity to attract more runners. This year we are giving away over $22,000 in cash prizes. We want to give a big thank you to all the sponsors and supporters coming onboard to make the Saipan Marathon even bigger and better than ever.”

The marathon is certified by the International Association of Athletic Federations through the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

Major sponsors this year are Delta Airlines, the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, DFS Saipan Limited, and Northern Marianas Athletics.

Platinum sponsors are IT&E, donating $5,000 and Hyatt Regency Saipan, donating over $4,000 in gift certificates. Gold sponsors are Ideal Signs, donating $3,000 and HK Express, donating $2,000. Silver sponsors are Pacific Insurance, J.C. Tenorio Enterprises, Serenti Hotel, Hana Tour Service Inc., Taiwan Rainbow Wings Inc., and BARREL (Korea), each donating $1,000. Saipan Beach Hotel and Kanoa Resort round out the list of Silver sponsors.

Aid stations will be manned by Mariana Resort & Spa, Kensington Hotel Saipan, Aqua Resort Club, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Imperial Pacific Int’l, Pacific Development Inc., Tasi Tours, Fiesta Resort & Spa, Kanoa Resort, Saipan World Resort, IT&E, Coral Ocean Golf Resort, and Pacific Islands Club Saipan.

The event is also supported by Dept. of Public Safety, Dept. of Fire & Emergency Medical Services, Dept. of Public Works, Dept. of Public Lands, Div. of Parks & Grounds, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Hawaiian Rock Products, and Marianas Health Services.

Registration by March 8 for the 50K and marathon is $95 for U.S. and CNMI participants, and $85 for half marathon and 10K participants. The fee for high school and junior high school students will be $55. The last day to register for the event will be on March 8, too. Registration will include the awards banquet, a finishers T-shirt, and a certificate of completion.

All competitors are required to pick up their race packets in person on March 9, from 4pm to 6pm at American Memorial Park, without exception. The races will start and finish at Micro Beach with the 50K event beginning at 4:30am, the full marathon at 5am, the half marathon at 5:30am, and the 10K at 6am. The cut-off time for the 50K and marathon will be 9:30am with runners in these event should be near the intersection of Navy Hill and Chalan Pale Arnold Road to continue their races.

Cash payments are accepted only at the MVA office located in San Jose, Saipan. For a direct link to the on-line registration site or for more information, contact Diaz at 1-670-664-3210 or send email to ediaz@mymarianas.com. (Saipan Tribune)