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Rex, Tania top Kulot Acha’Ikak 5K
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Posted on Jul 11 2022
Some of the 91 participants of the Inaugural Kulot Acha’Ikak 5K pose for a group photo last Saturday at LauLau Bay. Left, men’s division winner Rex Pixley. Far left, women’s division winner Tania Tan. (MARK RABAGO)
National runners Rex Pixley and Tania Tan overcame the muddy and hilly terrain to win the Inaugural Kulot Acha’Ikak 5K last Saturday at LauLau Bay.
Pixley paced the men’s division from start to finish and crossed the finish line in 19:44.
Another national runner, Sildrey Veloria, came in second in 21:21, while Tahiti national tennis player Heimanarii Lao San completed the Top 3 with a time of 21:16.
Pixley said despite the mud and hills, he had a great time running the Inaugural Kulot Acha’Ikak 5K.
“It was good. The course was tough but I really pushed it. The terrain was OK but what made it tough were the hills and the mud. I enjoyed the colored powder for the most part. Got hit in the face a couple of times. But it’s alright,” said the 16-year-old from Saipan International School.
Tan, for her part, dominated the women’s race after completing the course from the bottom of the San Vicente Laulau Bay entrance to the Laulau Beach dive site and back in 21:14.
Fellow national runner Tiana Cabrera finished second in 24:56, while Rosemarie Fontanilla Chisato was third in 25:0.1
Tan said she joined the race because she wanted to support Northern Marianas Athletics, Run Saipan, and the offices of Reps. Leila Staffler (D-Saipan) and Richard Lizama (D-Saipan) as well as have fun.
“I liked the route, it’s very much different from our usual races on the road so it’s a good change of scenery and surface. It’s hilly too so that was a good challenge.”
A total of 91 runners took part in the Inaugural Kulot Acha’Ikak 5K.
Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. thanked Staffler and Lizama for holding a beautiful Precinct 5-featured 5K.
“Thank you so much for adding a new premier race on Saipan’s race calendar. Thank you to everyone who came out this morning and took part in Rep. Staffler’s summer program event on health and wellness!”
He also thanked NMA for supporting and sanctioning the race, the Department of Public Lands for fixing the road right before the event, the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Saipan International School, NMI TECH, and the Marianas High School and Kagman High School JROTC battalions for their support.
