AK presents 2nd Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon

Atkins Kroll Saipan proudly declares its sponsorship of the 2nd Annual Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon, set to unfold on Dec. 9, 2023.

In its role as the presenting sponsor, AK Saipan is lending support to both a half marathon and a 5K Fun Run, promising a vibrant celebration of athleticism and community spirit.

The Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon unfolds across a picturesque 13.1-mile course, starting from Micro Beach Road near the entrance of the Hyatt Regency Club Elan and the turnaround point will be at the softball field in Marpi, just past the entrance to Wing Beach.

In tandem with the half marathon, the event will showcase a special 5K Fun Run, inspired by last year’s celebration of AK’s 55th anniversary of serving the people of the CNMI.

The Atkins Kroll 5K Fun Walk, Jog, and Run will traverse a point-to-point course from the Hyatt Regency Club Elan entrance, with the turnaround point set at the U.S. Army Reserve Center. Finisher medals, limited to the first 300 finishers, will be awarded at the finish line.

Established in August 2021, Run Saipan, a nonprofit running organization, has tirelessly worked to establish the Saipan Half Marathon as an annual sports tourism spectacle. The goal is to draw runners and visitors from Asia, Micronesia, and beyond, solidifying Saipan’s status as a premier destination for athletic excellence.

Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. is enthusiastic about partnering with AK Saipan, emphasizing their shared objective to continue a flagship running event in the CNMI.

Alex Yap, president of AK Saipan, affirmed the commitment to infuse the annual event with the quality of their brands, with a special emphasis on the significance of the 5K Fun Run. Yap warmly invited customers from the region to actively participate and support an event designed to foster the growth of the sport and attract visitors to the islands.

Packet pick-up for the Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon and 5K Fun Run is slated for Dec. 6 to 8, 2023, at the Atkins Kroll Toyota showroom, from 3pm to 6pm.

Race day start will commence at 5am for the Half Marathon and 6:30am for the 5K Fun Run. Registration includes a lunch banquet at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan in the Ataari outdoor garden from 12pm to 2pm.

Half Marathon participants will also receive a finisher’s T-shirt and finishing medals. The first 300 finishers of the 5K Fun Run will receive a T-shirt. Champion medals will be awarded to the Top 3 male and female in each Half Marathon race division, and the top male and female finisher in the 5K Fun Run.

Registration is currently open through Race Roster, the event’s registration site, listed under “Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon.” Regular registration fees are $50 for the Half Marathon and $35 for the 5K Fun Run until Dec. 6, with a $5 late registration fee added for race registrations on Dec. 7 and 8.

Both races are officially sanctioned by Northern Marianas Athletics, a proud member of World Athletics, the regulatory body of track and field. For inquiries about the races, reach out to Ron Snyder at runsaipan@gmail.com.

For more information, contact ernie.galito@akguam.com. (PR)