Age group winners also gobble up turkey

The age group winners for the Northern Marianas Athletics’ Mt. Tapochau Turkey Trot 2024 also took home and gobbled up turkeys after their efforts up the excruciating 4.2-mile uphill trek up the highest peak on Thanksgiving Day.

Besides overall winners Victor Nash Santos and Akiko Miller, Quido Lucas Jambor won first place in the boys U12 division with a time of 47:54. Angela Yu was first in the girls division at 1:06:41.

In the 17U division, siblings Landen and Addalee Taflinger came in first. Landen finished at 42:37, while Addalee clocked in at 51:18.

Daryn Roufs came in first in the 30-39 age group with a time of 35:33, while Sarah Ashley was first in the women’s at 57:03.

Rob Zarajczyk had the fastest time in the 40-49 age group at 47:23, while Shawna Brennfleck topped the women’s at 52:51.

In the 50-59 age group, Krista Hawley was first in the women’s division at 51:16, while James Abuy was first in the men’s at 52:42.

And, NMI National Tennis Team coach Jeff Race was the fastest in the 60+ age group with a time of 58:20, while Elizabeth Kohnen clocked in first in the women’s division at 1:04:14.

Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. then said after the race, “On behalf of coach Elias [Rangamar] and I and the rest of Northern Marianas Athletics, thank you to our runners and walkers today. We do this for the love of our community. It was a wonderful turnout with over 150 participants. We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. All proceeds are going toward our athletics programs, future race and track events and off-island competitions this coming 2025.”

He then said, “Our event would never be possible without the dedication and hard work of our partners, sponsors, volunteers and officials. Thank you to our sponsors: Joeten, MARPAC, and Triple J for supporting another successful Turkey Trot.

Additional thank yous were made to their partners: Department of Public Safety, Kagman High School National Honor Society, Saipan Southern High School National Honor Society, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., Marianas Health Services, and Run Saipan.

Up next this month are the Run Saipan Dash and Splash on Dec. 14, Northern Marianas Athletics Annual Christmas Island Relay on the 21st, and the annual 1-mile road race Run from 2024 by Run Saipan on Dec. 31.