MHS sweeps male division, Addalee 1st female in 5K

Marianas High School runners stormed the podium of the 5K men’s division in the Skechers Saipan Marathon 2024 last Saturday.

The 5-kilometer/3.1-mile course spanned from the Hyatt Regency Saipan parking lot to Puerto Rico and back, with freshman Michael Miller in first place with a time of 18:13. Right at his heels a few seconds behind was senior Pony Tang at 18:48, with Takeru Jim in third at 19 minutes flat.

Meanwhile, Saipan International School’s Addalee Taflinger cruised to first place in the female division with a time of 23:39. Second went to Tongren Zhang at 29:10, with Emma Lang in third place with a time of 30:21.

Additional prizes were awarded for the Wacky Awards: Best Costume, Akira Takatsu and Jiamei Hong; Best Body Paint, Luisa Ernest and Ronald Quindoza; Shortest Shorts, Leo Wania and Chung Chise; Most Awesome Shoes, Jennifer Tan; Ugliest Shoes, Okawa Taro; and Craziest Hair, Liezel Davis.

Miller, after the awards banquet last Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Saipan said he was blessed to be where he is. He said he led the race the whole time, but acknowledged that 5Ks are never easy. “You always have to push yourself at the end,” he said.

When asked if they will join the event again next year, he said he is confident that he and the boys will sweep the competition again in the coming years. As for if they planned to all race together, he said that it was unintentional.

Thirteen-year-old Taflinger, for her part, said that she was actually gunning to race in the 10K, but that her dad registered her in the 5K instead. She said she’s been training for the 10K and was kind of mad because she was anticipating a longer race. It all worked out in the end though, as she finished first in the female division.

She said of the event, “I’ve never been in a race this big. There were like over 500 people and I was scared. I was surprised when I was approaching the finish line and they announced I was the first female to come in. There were so many people so I wasn’t expecting that.”

Next year, she said she’ll be old enough to join the half marathon and is thinking about maybe joining that.

Before the awards banquet last Saturday night at the Hyatt Regency Saipan, Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Christopher Concepcion said a few remarks.

“You made it to Saipan; you made it across the finish line. And in marking 512 registrants this year, it’s a 57% increase versus our last marathon two years ago. The success of this event was due in part to our course certification by World Athletics’ professional timing, a beautiful run in paradise, growing business and community support, and awards dinner at the beach here at the Hyatt Regency, and of course, all of you. It’s been amazing. Thank you everyone,” he said.

He then thanked all of the sponsors that made the event possible.

Lastly, he said that MVA’s goal is to continue to make the Saipan Marathon a yearly event, “on the foundation that we’ve set to deliver a world class marathon here in the Marianas—perfectly safe for families, couples, and singles.”

Concepcion then welcomed everyone again to the next Saipan Marathon which is set for Saturday, March 8, 2025.