200 Japanese joining Festival of Runs

Close to 200 runners from Japan have registered for the 2009 Winter Festival of Runs, which will be holding three races on Jan. 17.

The list includes Japanese celebrity Okushi Erika, who joined last year’s race, and 30 travel agents, who are part of Northwest Airlines’ familiarization tour.

Runners will be competing in the full marathon (42.195km), half marathon (21.079) and the 10K Fun Run. Courses in the three races will allow runners to enjoy the scenic views of Saipan.

Interested participants who want to avail of the lower entrance fee have only until today to register. Registration fee paid on or before Jan. 9 is only $35 for full marathon, and $25 for the two other races. A late fee of $10 will be added for registrations made after Jan. 9. No registration fee will be accepted during the races and participants have until Jan. 16 to register.

A mandatory race orientation will be held, also on Jan. 16, at the American Memorial Park Amphitheater at 4pm.

Participants in the full marathon will race first starting at 4:30am next Saturday, while the two other races will begin at 5:45am.

All races will begin and end at the Micro Beach will participants in the full marathon heading north along Middle Road through the villages of Puerto Rico, Tanapag, and San Roque; turning around in Marpi right before reaching the Far East Broadcasting Company turnoff; and returning to connect with the half marathon course.

The half marathon course will start at Micro Beach south on Beach Road along Saipan’s western lagoon going through the villages of Garapan, San Jose, Susupe, Chalan Kanoa, and San Antonio, turning around San Antonio basketball court and returning at Micro Beach. The 10K Fun Run will have the same starting point with runners cruising Beach Road and passing the villages of Garapan and San Jose, making a turn at the Pacific Outlet, and returning to Micro Beach.

Organizers will be using automated, chip-technology timing system from Keisoku-kobo for the three races.

Japan’s Nobuyuki Yamamoto and Saipan resident Mamiko Oshima ruled last year’s full marathon, while Eli Torgeson and Guam’s Amy Atkinson prevailed in the half marathon.

This year’s Festival of Runs is being supported by Northwest Airlines, Oakley, MVA, Northern Marianas Athletics, and DFS Galleria Saipan. Other sponsors are Department of Public Safety, Hawaiian Rock, American Memorial Park, Division of Parks and Recreation, Department of Public Works, and Commonwealth Health Center.

To register or for more information, contact Ed Diaz 1-670-664-3210 or email at ediaz@mymarianas.com.