A world-class Saipan Marathon

On March 9, 2024, the Marianas will host Saipan Marathon 2024, with 407 registrants to date. That’s a solid number!

Any marathon is quite a feat—26.2 miles of sweat, pain, and old-fashioned grit. We salute the valiant who have signed on for the challenge, as well as the many others who will participate in the half-marathon, 10K and 5K. Go, runners!

The Marianas Visitors Authority’s vision for Saipan Marathon is much bigger than laying out cones and promoting just another marathon. We are working to build on the solid foundation we have already set to offer a world-class event that will attract a growing number of international runners year after year. Why? Well, 26,000 people joined the Honolulu Marathon last year. The economic potential is significant, and running events are easy to travel for. All you need is a pair of running shoes.

I’m pleased to say the biggest hurdle for having a world-class event has already been achieved. For several years now, except for a brief period during COVID-19, the Saipan Marathon course has been certified by World Athletics in cooperation with the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. This is an international certification that serious runners expect, and Saipan Marathon meets the mark.

Second to that, we need a timing system that will give participants accurate and valid results. We have that in place, too. For several years, the MVA has contracted a professional timing company from Japan to make sure runners’ times are on point, especially for those using Saipan Marathon as a stepping stone to more prestigious races. Thanks also to our race co-organizer—the able-bodied Northern Mariana Athletics—and the many volunteers tracking bib numbers along the course, Saipan Marathon delivers reliable race times.

After over a decade, the organization of the race now comes like clockwork for the marathon team, which is spearheaded by the MVA Community Projects division and includes many government partners, private sponsors, local businesses, community organizations, and individual volunteers. The checklist is long: online registration, the timing system, race packets, course setup, road and medical safety for runners, aid stations, medals and T-shirts, the awards banquet, and everything in between. For the most part, we’ve got experienced people in the lead, and it shows.

And this is a race we can be proud of, with global brands signing on this year as sponsors, starting with Skechers as Exclusive Title Sponsor of the race. We also have Platinum Sponsor Coca-Cola/Foremost/Subway/Powerade; Gold Sponsors Bridge Capital, IT&E, and Triple J Saipan; Silver Sponsors United Airlines, Matson, The Athlete’s Foot, Boarderline and All-Star Sporting Goods; Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands; Northern Marianas Athletics; and Bike Pro. In-kind sponsor is M&E Enterprises Inc. Saipan.

‘Your little efforts—collectively—will go a long way toward making Saipan Marathon one to remember—and one to return to.’

So, how can we collectively make Saipan Marathon bigger and better, and what can individual companies, organizations, and individuals in the community do?

The MVA will continue to spearhead organization and promotion of this event to our source markets. Our mandate is marketing and promotion of the Marianas. We are working to further develop relationships with more running clubs and influencers in our source markets to attract this niche market, and we expect more participants each year. Prior to the pandemic, we once breached the 1,000 mark on participants. We believe we can do that again.

One of the things that could help us reach that goal is continued and expanded support from the business community in terms of discounts and incentives to entice visitors. Big thanks to Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan and Hyatt Regency Saipan for offering exclusive marathon hotel rates this year. That helps! The MVA is delighted to promote these and any other incentives that could be extended to marathoners. Ideally, we will start promoting this summer for the 2025 marathon, so let us know early!

And when you’re running 26.2 miles, it doesn’t hurt to hear an encouraging word. During the Hell of the Marianas, it was incredible that students from a local MY WAVE club were out on the course early in the morning, cheering the bikers on. We can let our runners know they are welcomed by putting out welcome signs on race week or putting together a cheering team along the course, whether it be your business, your organization, or your family. If your home or place of business is along the 26.2-mile course, we invite you to set up a pop-up tent to cheer on our runners! Make it a family fun day for everyone!

One final thank you I’d like to make is to our island drivers, who make the safety of our race participants a priority. It’s been commented that Saipan drivers are more courteous to race participants than what athletes have seen elsewhere. Thanks for helping our visitors enjoy their scenic races in safety.

And the single biggest thing we can do to set Saipan Marathon apart from other marathons is to be hospitable. We invite you to support the efforts of the MVA by personally greeting our visitors on the weekend of March 9 and sharing the warmth of our community with them. Your little efforts—collectively—will go a long way toward making Saipan Marathon one to remember—and one to return to.

Good luck and a safe race to all participants!

‘The Marianas Visitors Authority’s vision for Saipan Marathon is much bigger than laying out cones and promoting just another marathon. We are working to build on the solid foundation we have already set to offer a world-class event that will attract a growing number of international runners year after year.’

Christopher A. Concepcion