Munnis, Brennan, Lee top Veterans Day 5K 

A total of 114 runners—50 of which were armed forces members and veterans gathered together to celebrate Veteran’s Day with an early morning 5K yesterday.

Run Saipan’s 2nd Annual Veterans Day 5K course spanned from the former Hyatt Regency Saipan Club Elan parking lot, to the Pacific Trading Co. in Puerto Rico and back.

This time, Run Saipan not only awarded the Top 3 men and women, but also had awards for veterans and armed forces categories.

United Airlines pilot James Munnis, who served in the military for over 30 years in the U.S. Navy, Navy Reserve, and Air National Guard, ran into first place in the Veteran Category men’s division with a time of 21:19.

Second place was Jason Pixley, who served in the U.S. Navy, with his time of 24:22, while third place was Matthew Furan, a veteran of the U.S. Marines, who clocked in at 25:02.

No women veterans joined the race.

As for the Armed Forces Category, in the men’s division, Guam Army National Guard Donovan Brennan was first with his time of 23:01. U.S. Army Reserve member Terence Leung was right behind at 23:06, and third was Daryll De Luna, also from the U.S. Army Reserve.

In the Armed Forces Category women’s division, Hanoul Sky Lee, a U.S. Army reservist, was first with her time of 28:59. Jamerie Paras, another U.S. Army reservist, was second at 32:02, and third was Angela Muna, a U.S. Army reservist, at 32:47.

The men’s open category saw high school runners sweep the Top 3. First place was Saipan International School speedster Victor Nash Santos at 18:46. Takeru Jim of Marianas High School was second at 19:18, and third was SIS’ Landon Tafligner 20:38.

In the women’s open category, Akiko Miller sprinted into first at 22:07; Krista Hawley was second at 24:38; and third was Addalee Taflinger at 24:42.

For Munnis, he said of the event, “It’s great to support. I like to support active duty members and get people interested in joining the military because there’s so few that do it nowadays. Back when I joined, it wasn’t a big deal. My brother was also in the Air Force…”

As for the course, he said, “I like this course because it’s mostly flat, but I’m looking forward to going the other way when they finish the road in the next couple of years…”

For Brennan, he said he joined the event to support the veterans, but also to see how much he could push himself.

With his first place win, he said, “It always feels good to win, but today was just about showing support to our veterans.”

As for the course and conditions, he said, “It was a perfect morning for a run! Thankful for another beautiful day.”

The event, he said, was great to try and get “veterans, current military personnel, their families, and the community to come out and get more active. Running and working out is a great stress reliever and really clears your mind.”

He then gave thanks and said, “I would like to thank the man above for blessing us all with another day. Thanks to Ed [Dela Cruz] and the whole Run Saipan crew for this event. Shout out to my wife for supporting me in everything I do. But most of all, thank you to our veterans. Happy Veterans Day!”

Dela Cruz, who is a veteran himself, said, “Thank you to all our veterans for their service. This event was in honor of you and everything you have done for our country. Thank you to our running community coming out in force to honor our veterans today. Run Saipan is proud to be kicking off Veterans Day with a run honoring our heroes.”

“Thank you to Northern Marianas Athletics, Department of Public Safety, Saipan International School, Project Buddy Check, NMI News Service, Marianas Variety, Saipan Tribune, Marianas Health, Life in the Sun, and CHCC. As always appreciate the officials, volunteers, and support staff for another successful event,” he added. He also thanked Congressman Thomas John Manglona, Lao Zhang, Norman Tanghal, and James Sablan.

He then added, “Run Saipan and Northern Marianas Athletics has kicked off National Diabetes Month and joined the health coalition of Marianas Health, CHCC, Life in the Sun, Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, Pickleball federation, the Northern Marianas College in running events all month long in the combat against non-communicable diseases such as diabetes. Next up is the Health Walk, pickleball and running clinic, Diocese of Chalan Kanoa 5K, and Turkey Trot.”