Team NMI Run Saipan competes in ASICS World Ekiden 2021

Team NMI Run Saipan finished 1,596th out of 5,952 teams that competed in the ASICS World Ekiden 2021 after completing the 42-kilometer virtual relay in a time of 4:43.46.

Dan Dan Middle School teacher Simon Necesito ran the first 5K in 43:55. He was followed by Commonwealth Health Center physician and Ran Saipan vice president Dr. Jenna Wong who ran her 5K in 24:04.

Gerald Galang of the U.S. Army and Golds Gym Saipan trainer came out and did the third leg 10K in 55:06. Northern Marianas College student Sildrey Veloria did his 5K in 1:03.07, while Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting responder and Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. completed his 10K in 1:00.20. University of Hawaii student anchored the team and finished the remaining 7.2K in 37:16.

“I did mine last Monday at 5pm. I waited until my new pair of Altras Rivera came in to do the 10K. My physical therapist prescribed these pairs to lessen the pain load on my heel. I would say it did its job. I ran from the 0.00 marker at Kilili Beach to the T Galleria traffic light intersection and back,” said Dela Cruz.

He added that the six members of Team NMI Run Saipan are actually part of a track workout group that was created in August of 2019.

“I basically asked for volunteers. There’s about 20 of us in the group. The first to volunteer were placed on the team. I put out what distances were for which leg and everyone got to pick their distances. I took whatever was last which was the second 10K leg,” added Dela Cruz.

The Run Saipan president it felt great to finally take part in an ASICS World Ekiden event.

“To be honest I’ve always been getting the emails every year when I was using Runkeeper to do the race but I never had enough people in the past to run long distance let alone in a group. This first Ekiden was to run for fun and see who’s interested. Next year’s ASICS Ekiden we will actually train for it.”

Kong, who did her portion last Nov. 13 from the Gov. Eloy S. Inos Peace Park to the American Memorial Park, said she was just happy to be part of Team NMI Run Saipan.

“The Ekiden was actually my first ever relay race so I’m very grateful to Ed for including me as part of the team! I had a fantastic time.”

Lucido, who ran last Nov. 19 around the UH-Manoa campus, said it was cool being part of the all-island team despite being off-island.

“Luckily this event took place virtually and it gave me the opportunity to represent where I’m proudly from. No matter where I go, I will always be proud to be from the CNMI. It was a pleasure being able to do this. Hopefully in the future, there will be more people to make teams to represent the CNMI so that people from around the world will notice us,” he said.

Veloria said it was an honor to represent the Commonwealth when he ran his segment of the Ekiden from the Oleai Beach Bar & Grill last Nov. 18.

“There are not many runners in the CNMI that are willing to take the challenge, but my team and I had a lot of fun doing it even though we did it in separate days and times. Hopefully, in the future, we won’t be the only ones willing to represent the CNMI. It’s a small step to a better future for athletics in the CNMI,” he said.

Galang, who ran from the Marianas Medical Center to Oleai Beach Bar & Grill and back last Nov. 13, said he was also honored to represent the Commonwealth in the event.

“I feel honored and proud to be part of a team representing our islands. Especially when I saw that there were close to 6,000 teams worldwide. It really gave me a sense of accomplishment. When Ed mentioned it to me back in October, I didn’t hesitate to join the team. I hope it motivates more people to start an active life-style especially with the new year upon us,” he said.

Necesito said he was a bit under the weather when he run his 5K last Nov. 20 from the Kilili Pavilion to Monica’s Furniture and back.

“To be honest I wasn’t sure if I was going to run this event since I was recovering from a four-day fever. I didn’t want to let my team down and was determined to get this in. For me, it’s the fact that I was able to run with the Run Saipan team that motivated me to push further. I have ran alongside them for about a year now and I’m proud to represent the CNMI in this event. This was something I never would have expected to do in my life. It feels absolutely amazing!”

Northern Marianas Athletics general secretary Robin Sapong congratulated Team NMI Run Saipan for competing in the ASICS World Ekiden 2021.

“They will have a chance to win an unforgettable World Athletics Championships Oregon 2022 Experience via World Athletics/Race Roster. On completion of their race, teams will be automatically entered for a chance to win this fantastic prize. One team from each of the six area associations will be selected at random. In this case they are part of Oceania with NMA being the federation,” he said.

Winners will be announced on Dec. 1, 2021.