Trench Tech trainee wins Hyatt’s 10K run

  Visiting boxer Daniel Ramirez continued to impress the local running community as he won another race here, ruling the 10K event in last Saturday’s Hyatt Run For A Cause.

Ramirez completed the race from Micro Beach up to Beach Road (across Hakubotan) and back in 40:59, way behind his best time (27 minutes plus), but it was enough to beat local favorite Michael Mancao and 18 others. It was Ramirez’s second win in a local race, as he also topped the 19th Annual Tom Picarro “Silver Streak” Memorial Fun Run last month.

“I knew I would not be able to beat my PBT, as I rarely run here, but my legs still have the power to run 10K and have a decent time. I just paced myself during the race and fortunately I won again,” said Ramirez, who is from Nevada and has been on Saipan since last month training with Trench Tech.

The 19-year-old Ramirez, who beat Mancao in the Silver Streak, led last Saturday’s race right from the start and was already past Café at the Park and nearing the side entrance of Hyatt Regency Saipan when his closest pursuer-Sean Smith-made his turn at the Garapan Fire Station.

Smith went on to clock in at 41:23, about six minutes ahead of third placer Noni Eugenio, who submitted 47:21. Mancao dropped to third with his time of 47:55, failing to keep up with Ramirez due to an early injury. The 18-year-old Mancao said he was just past the Garapan Fire Station on the way to Beach Road when he felt something on his right knee. He ended up tying up a sponge on his aching knee and crossed the finish line limping in pain.

“I don’t know what happened, I suddenly felt the pain. I don’t want to quit, so I just kept on running,” said Mancao, who had his first race here since competing in the Oceania championship in Cairns, Australia late last month.

Akiko Miller came in after Mancao, posting 48:02 to win first place in the women’s division. Miller defeated Reylynn Sapong and first time roadrunner Tiffany Lin, who logged 57:57 and 1:09:04, respectively.

Other 10K finishers were Donivan Mendiola (56:48), Clyde Eblane (57:49), Arielle Buyum (58:04), Suzy Kindel (58:32), Justin Ralph Cayading (1:04:22), Nick Nishikawa (1:29:46), Jun Lee (1:29:46), Mike Busby (1:35:42), Jack Hardy (1:42:56), Josephine Mesta (2:21:32), Rosalyn Quintanilla (2:21:34), and Celina Farrel (2:21:35). Kathy Ruszala, who is five months pregnant, also ran the course with her baby boy, Keoni (on a stroller), and the mother-and-son tandem timed in at 1:42:56, beating three other runners.

Meanwhile, Hyatt Regency Saipan would like to thank the following for supporting last weekend’s event: Pacific Trading, Co., MARPAC, Coca-Cola, Docomo Pacific, IP&E, IT&E, Take Care, Chong’s Corporation, I Love Saipan, KZMI, Select Care, Ideal Signs, Quality Water, Saipan Computer Services, PIC, Garapan Rollers, UFO, CHC Nursing Department, and Northern Marianas Athletics.

By Roselyn Monroyo
Reporter