Team SIS Cares for Animals takes inaugural title

Team SIS Cares for Animals, from left, Anika Snyder, Tiana Cabrera, Sarka Glajchova, and Noriko Jim pose for a photo before winning the inaugural NMI 10K Womens Run last Saturday. (Contributed Photo)

Team SIS Cares for Animals took the inaugural title during the CNMI’s first NMI 10K Women’s Run last Saturday and proceeds earned from the inaugural event will be donated to a charity of the team’s choosing.

CNMI 10K record holder Noriko Jim, Šarka Glajchova, Tiana Cabrera, and Anika Snyder of Team SIS Cares for Animals took the first-place spot with a time of 2:27:3 followed by Team NMIFA B and Team Agape.

Team SIS Cares for Animals chose Saipan Cares for Animals as the recipient of the prize money this year as they struggle to fund their move to a new location.

Teams consisted of four runners and the Top 3 runners’ times were added together to form a composite time with the lowest time taking the prize.

According to Robin Sapong, Oceania Athletics Association president, the winning team will personally award their local charity the money raised from the event in an awarding ceremony sometime in April.

The official amount will be determined by the end of the month but as of Saturday, Sapong said the Women’s Run successfully raised $1,500.

“The event had an overwhelming turnout. We were thinking it wouldn’t be a great turnout with what’s going on in the community but it was better than expected and we were sold out at 102,” he said.

During the inaugural event, over 100 women came out to run the course and 40 of the women participating in the event composed the teams competing for the chance to choose the charity recipient for the prize money.

Runners prepare for kick off during the CNMI’s first NMI 10K Women’s Run last Saturday. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

Northern Marianas Athletics wants to thank all event volunteers because without them the event could not have been possible.

Volunteers include Rep. Denita Kaipat Yangetmai (D-Saipan), who donated mwáárs to the top finishers; and Rep. Leila Staffler (D-Saipan), who assembled all of the runners by blowing a conch horn, while Yvette Bennet and Lia Rangamar kicked off the race with the pounding sound of coconuts.

Other volunteers include the Ach Chuuk CNMI Association and SIS Rotary Interact Club who were stationed along the course to cheer the runners on and provide water.

The Chuukese Women’s Group were at the 13 Fisherman’s Memorial and the SIS Rotary Interact Club was stationed at the 5K turn-around with signs supporting women created by Amie McRobert’s grade 8 class.

NMA would also like to thank the volunteer race crew and the sponsors and donors MARPAC Home & Family, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Triple J Superfresh, MVA, Department of Public Safety, McDonald’s of Saipan, Khaiceel’s Savvy Bags, Irensia Studio, AXISS Photo, Inspire Micronesia, Run Saipan, and everyone else that donated in one way or another to this year’s woman’s run.