42nd Annual Christmas Island Relay this Saturday

Run with friends and family as you celebrate the holiday season with the 42nd NMA Annual Christmas Island Relay this Saturday, Dec. 23.

The 13.1-mile long out-and-back course will be the same course from the Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon—from the Hyatt Regency Saipan to Marpi and back.

The teams of five runners each will individually alternate through one-mile stages from start to finish.

Currently, there are 16 teams vying for first place. They are, This We’ll Defend-Team Saipan, Power 5 Ladies, Yard of Beef, License to Chill, Team Santa Youth 2023, Team Santa Speedy 2023, Team Taflinger, #elfies, Saipan Swim Club, Agape Team 1, Agape Team 2, Agape Youth Team 1, Agape Youth Team 2, Team Dolphin, Don’t Give Up Fifty’s, and Normal Korean Boys.

Last year in the open division, Run Saipan Alpha finished first with a time of 1:19:52. The pace was led by Keith Ketola who averaged 4:55/mile; Sildrey Veloria, 5:59/mile; Tania Tan, 5:45/mile; Keith Longuski, 5:30/mile; and Heimanarii Lai San, 6:30/mile.

In the youth division, Team Santa jingled their way to first place with a time of 1:25:13. The team consisted of team captain Andrei Chavez, Pony Tang, Zhixiang Lin, Nolan Ngewakl and Markus Toves.

To sign up, click on the link below.

https://raceroster.com/events/2023/82918/annual-christmas-island-relay-2023

Robing Sapong, organizer of the event. said proceeds will go toward NMA’s 2024 season and off-ssland events.

For any questions regarding the event, contact Robin Sapong at (670)788-0929 or email rsapong@gmail.com.