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Posted on Jun 23 2005
Thousands of people flocked to the CNMI last year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Northern Mariana Islands from the Japanese in World War II, and now it is Korea’s turn to look back on the end of the 35-year colonization of their country with the official surrender of Japan to the Allied forces on August 15, 1945.
To get the holiday season off and running, Sports Link, Korea has announced their intentions to hold the inaugural Peace Half-Marathon two weeks from now to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, and the founding of the Republic of Korea on August 15, 1948.
Saipan’s second half marathon of the year will be organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Korean Tour Association of Saipan, who have joined forces with Segye Times and Kyunghyang Daily News from Korea.
“We are very happy to be part of this athletic event and expect that this event will have a positive impact on the CNMI’s promotions in Korea,” commented Y.T. Park, representative, MVA Korea office
Aside from the 13.1 half-mile marathon, the MVA and the Korean Tour Association of Saipan expect to entice roughly 200 participants from South Korea to participate in the 5-km and 10-km race as well.
As with all other major on-island events, organizers are hoping for an outpouring of local support from government and private companies to help make the event a success.
According to the MVA, the race will be the one of the CNMI’s large-scale athletic events this year aside from the Tagaman and XTERRA Saipan Championships due in part to the major Korean media sponsoring the race.
“Sports tourism is a growing industry, this billion-dollar industry worldwide is one of the most effective means of tourism. We will continue to grow as a destination that caters to sporting events as this would only contribute to the CNMI’s tourism industry,” said MVA managing director Vicky Benavente.
If all goes well in the planning stages, the Peace Half-Marathon will get underway on Sunday, July 10, at the American Memorial Park. Organizers have yet to release information about entrance fees and registration deadlines.
