AK sponsors Run Saipan’s holiday races

As Run Saipan gears up for its biggest end of the year’s races, it is thankful to Atkins Kroll for once again partnering with them as a President Sponsor of the Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon and Atkins Kroll 5K race that will take place on Dec. 9.

This comes soon after Atkins Kroll sales manager Kevin Barnes presented Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. and vice president Jenna Kong with a $5,000 check last Thursday at the Atkins Kroll facility in San Jose, Beach Road.

Dela Cruz and Kong thanked the company’s continual support and partnership. “Were really happy to have this event and we hope to have a continuing partnership with AK in the future. So thanks very much,” said Kong.

Dela Cruz is also appreciative. “…We can’t thank them enough. Without their continued support and sponsorship, we wouldn’t be able to bring one of the best races the Marianas has ever seen to Saipan.”

He also thanks AK president Alex Yap, AK VP Clark Boswell, and Atkins Kroll’s leadership team “You have no idea what this means to us,” Dela Cruz said.

Barnes said Atkins Kroll appreciates this opportunity to work with Run Saipan as an opportunity for the company to give back to the community and be a part of something that gets everybody involved in a healthy way.

“Run Saipan does amazing things for the community, getting people out there, getting them active, concerned about their health and keeping the community together in positive ways,” Barnes said.

The races will be starting at 5am.

Dela Cruz said the races this year is different in two ways, one of which is the planned route.

“We’re not running the same course this year,” he said.

Due to the ongoing road constructions on Beach Road, Run Saipan will be going through Route 30 from Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Club Elan and, instead of taking a right to Pacific Islands Club Saipan, they will go to the Commonwealth Health Care Corp. traffic light intersection, and take a left down Route 30.

The turnaround point is going to be the old softball field in Marpi, right after the former Mariana Resort & Spa, and then back to the starting point.

“So that’s going to be the most significant difference for the race course. Nothing else will be changed. We will still have the same aid stations for the Saipan full marathon,” he said.

The second difference this year is that Run Saipan will be hosting an award banquet at Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan from 12pm to 2pm. “It’s going to be the first time we are going to be doing it. …Last year we focused more on the race and now we’re starting to add extra stuff into our half-marathon,” said Dela Cruz.

In order to be included in the grand raffle, participants must be present for the banquet. He also noted that the luncheon will also be the launch of Run Saipan’s official website, where people can track and register for 2024 events.

Registration for both races is ongoing until Dec. 6 at $35 for Atkins Kroll 5K, and $50 for the Holiday Half-Marathon. Late registry on Dec. 7-8 will be $5 extra.

Registering participants may pick up their race packets on Dec. 6,7, and 8 at the Atkins Kroll showroom, from 3pm to 6pm, and early registration is encouraged.