Saipan Marathon draws record entry

Marianas Visitors Authority officials and supporters of the 2018 Saipan Marathon pose for a group photo after the press conference for this Saturday’s event at the MVA office in San Jose yesterday. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

A new record has been established in Saipan Marathon as 914 runners have already signed up for the 2018 edition of Marianas Visitors Authority’s signature event.

MVA manager director Chris Concepcion disclosed the record number of entries in the 2018 Saipan Marathon during the race’s press conference yesterday at the MVA office in San Jose. The number surpassed the 804 posted during the 2012 race and the turnout for this Saturday’s event is expected to increase as runners have until this afternoon (5pm) to register.

“We are happy to announce that the 2018 Saipan Marathon will be a record year. We have 914 runners from Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Guam, and the CNMI,” said Concepcion, who was joined in the press conference by MVA marketing manager Broc Calvo, MVA Community Projects manager Martin Duenas, and race director Ed Diaz.

Concepcion attributed the surge in the number of participants in Saipan Marathon to MVA’s longer promotion of the event and cooperation of its marketing partners off-island. MVA worked on the promotion of Saipan Marathon for six months and also launched an online registration for the first time, making it easier for international runners to sign up for this weekend’s race.

China has the most runners entered in Saipan Marathon with 205, while 150 and 127 are coming from Korea and Japan. Nearly 500 will compete in the 10K run, 231 in the half marathon, over 100 in full marathon, and 30 in the ultra marathon (50K).

Cash prizes amounting to more than $22,000 will be given away to top finishers in the various races, while participants, who are not that competitive, maystill go home with prizes courtesy of All-Star Sports Goods and The Athletes’ Foot—the sponsor of the first-ever “wackiest contest” in Saipan Marathon.

The contest will award prizes to winners in the following categories: Best Costume (male and female), Craziest Hair, Most Awesome Shoes, Shortest Shorts (male and female), and Ugliest Running Shoes.

“Have fun, dress up, and be colorful during the race day,” Calvo said.

“Cheer the runners so they will enjoy the race and Saipan and come back,” Duenas said.

Meanwhile, Diaz is reminding motorists and pedestrians to take extra caution this Saturday, as hundred of runners will be on the road, especially between 6am to 7pm from Micro Beach to Beach Road, as 6am is the go time for 10K participants.