Previous Story
Marianas Coffee Trail Run reveals mountain plantations
|
Posted on Jan 28 2009
A normal trek through the jungles of Saipan brings plenty of encounters with bamboo, palms, tangentangen, breadfruit, and numerous other trees. This Saturday, trail runners will also discover several less-seen coffee plantations featured in the 2nd Annual Marianas Coffee Trail Run.
The estimated 10-mile run will begin at American Memorial Park Micro Beach and head to the peak of Mt. Tapochao, the highest point of the island, before traveling a meandering route back to the park. An estimated six-mile short course will also be available.
“The Marianas Coffee Trail Run aims to provide challenging trail terrain in the context of a beautiful course,” said Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio. “The three coffee plantations featured in the run are just a taste of the scenic sights along the way.”
The course will pass through the old growth plantations of Marianas Coffee owner Chuck Jordan on Mt. Tapachao, and the young plantation and the wild coffee trees found on Attao farm on Navy Hill. The course will also traverse the Camacho bee farm, a dry stream, and trails featured in the annual XTERRA Saipan Championship triathlon.
Show time on race day is 5:30am, followed by a course briefing after all runners have checked in. The event will start at 6:30am.
Registration is now ongoing through MVA. Registration by 5pm Friday, Jan. 30, is $30. Registration on event day must be made by 5:30am and will be $10 additional. Registration fees include a finisher’s T-shirt, certificate of participation, and the awards banquet with island barbeque lunch at 11:30am at Micro Beach. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place overall for men and women in both events.
Twenty competitors from Japan have already registered for the event.
Major sponsors of the event are Marianas Coffee Company, MVA, Pacific Development, Inc., and Northern Marianas Athletics. MVA members have donated additional contributions in support of the event.
For more information or to register, contact Akiko Hagiwara at 322-8794 or via e-mail at akiko@pdisaipan.com or Edward Diaz of MVA at 664-3200/01 or at ediaz@mymarianas.com. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]
