5K Fun Run age group winners announced

Besides the 3rd Annual Run Saipan Half Marathon Top 3 men/women and age group winners, the concurrent 5K Fun Run Top 3 men/women and age group winners were announced as well.

Both the half marathon and the 5K Fun Run were held last Saturday just in time for Labor Day weekend.

The 5K route was from the former Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Club Elan parking lot and headed north, with the turnaround at the Pacific Trading Co.

Age groups of the U18, 19-39, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, and 65+ were awarded as well.

In the U18 men’s division, Samuel Zhu finished first with a time of 20:24, followed by Michael Miller at 21:23. Victor Neil Santos was third at 22:37. The women’s division was led by Aubrey White with a time of 26:24, second was Brooklyn Jones with a time of 26:59, and Faith Arriola was third at 28 minutes flat.

In the men’s 19-39 age group, Chris Zemple came in first at 30:31. Second was Merrik McDonald who clocked in at 30:31, and Ariel Lapuz was third at 31:27. The women’s division was dominated by Sherri Borja at 33:01. Second was Saori Okuma at 33:11, and Yuhe Fang came in third at 44:30.

In the women’s 35-39 age group, Dianne Mallari clocked in first at 25:24, followed by Kimberly White at 40:07, while Bhek Osorio was third at 44:51.

In the men’s 40-44 age group, Adam Walsh sprinted into first place with a time of 22:01, followed by Christopher Racine at 25:34. Third was Greg Arriola with a time of 42:59. Robin Spaeth led the women’s division at 29:16. Kathy Ruszala came in second with 29:23, and Pamela Walsh was third at 31:22.

In the men’s 45-49 age group, Ajani Burrell was the fastest at 26:34. Second was Mark McDonald at 30:31, while Brad Ruszala was third at 38:35. In the women’s division, it was just Christine Cho at 39:05.

In the men’s 50-54 age group, Daniel Dilse clocked in first at 25:47. Second was Ferdinand Santos at 28:58, and third was Gregory Retsinas at 30:31. In the women’s division it was just Jennifer Retsinas at 33:20 and Leonora Abuy at 36:27.

In the men’s 55-59 age group, Ronaldo Quindoza was the lone runner who came in at 31:51. In the women’s division, Miriam Dilse was first at 32:55, while second was Kim Church at 38:41, and third was Lun Jian Hua at 43 minutes flat.

In the 65+ age group, there were only men runners and it was led by Steve Pixley with a time of 25:24 followed by barefoot runner Changwan Jang at 29:04.

Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. thanked their sponsors Cha Cafe, Atkins Kroll Saipan, IT&E, Aqua Resort Club, The Water Company, the Office of House Speaker Edmund Villagomez, the Office of Vice Speaker Joel Camacho, the Office of Rep. Thomas John Manglona, and the Office of Rep. Malcom Omar.

He also thanked their volunteers, race staff, partners: Northern Marianas Athletics, the Department of Public Safety, Marianas Visitors Authority, HD Weightlifting Academy, Saipan Southern High School Interact Club, American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, and Interact Club. And, he thanked Saipan Tribune and Marianas Variety for the coverage.