Santos, Jim fastest in AK 5K

A veteran runner and a student-athlete were the fastest in their respective divisions of the 2023 AK 5K Fun Run on a gloomy Saturday morning.

The male division was youth-led as Mount Carmel School sophomore Victor Nash Santos came in first overall with a time of 21:05; second place was another young runner Takeru Jim a few seconds later at 21:12; and third place was high school senior Rex Pixley at 22:19.

For the female division, Noriko Jim claimed first place at 23:19; second was Addalee Taflinger who clocked in at 23:33; and third was Shawna Brennfleck with a time of 25:52.

The course from Hyatt Regency to the U.S. Army Reserve Center and back was clogged up with 135 other 5K runners, along with half marathon runners who ran to Marpi and back.

Santos outran everyone once again after he recently won the Turkey Trot up Mt. Tapochao last month. He said after winning the 5K, “It felt really good. I was just happy I got the race over with. I’ve been busy with school these past few weeks and it’s been super stressful. My time wasn’t super great either but I still had a lot of fun and it’s nice to be out there running in a race again.”

As for the course, he said it was alright and not that exciting. “It was the same all throughout and there wasn’t really a great view to look at. It was also raining and the course was wet. During the race, my shoelace was untied and I was super scared I was going to fall and my shoes were soaked, too,” he said.

Despite not prioritizing running because of school, plus an untied shoelace, and rain-soaked shoes during the race, Santos told himself, “Whatever happens, happens” and tried not to set super high expectations for himself, but still came out on top.

For Noriko Jim, she said the race was “fun.” She said all ages ran together and got to run with her son, Takeru, who came in second overall.

She added, “I’m so happy to see that the run[ning] community is growing in Saipan! Thanks for [the] hard working Run Saipan and volunteers. There [were] lots of great prizes in [the] awards banquet too! Thanks [to] all the sponsors.”

The age division awardees for the 5K in the 12U boys age group went to Quido Jambor at 23:13; Gabriel Walsh at 28:08; and Brayden Brennfleck with a time of 32:02.

In the 12U girls division, Top 3 were Kaylen Taflinger who clocked in at 26:11; Leilani Ruszala at 29:57; and Olivia Walsh with 34:17.

The 14U boys Top 3 went to Simon Roy Romero at 25:59; Kazuki Kamegai with 26:56; and Victor Neil Santos with a time of 27:24. The girls Top 3 were Aubrey White who came in at 32:12; Lina Tsukagoshi with a time of 36:42; and Alana Hayes at 38:53.

The 18U boys Top 3 were Christian Newman at 25:26; Ian Song with a time of 25:46; and Jhaylin Cruz at 27:01. The girls Top 3 were Jian Chun with a time of 29:09; Wang Hoo at 36:29; and Mimi Culp with 37:34.

Jody O’Sullivan topped the 35-39 men’s age group with a time of 29:16; second was Kevin Ada at 39:39. The women’s Top 3 were Grace Simitara at 32:26; Bridget Basa at 39:39; and Kimberly White at 35:00.

The 40-44 men’s age group Top 3 were Rodelo Lagunay at 32:27; Ryan Reyes at 35:23; and Jacoby Winkfield at 40:48. The women’s Top 3 were Shawna Brennfleck at 25:52; Pamela Walsh at 34:00; and Rona Reyes with a time of 38:24.

The men’s 45-49 winners were Sanghyn Chun at 25:32; Vince Tudela with a time of 30:09; and Noel Altimirano with 30:28. Miyuki Ishihara was first in the women’s division at 31:00; Xinmei Yarbrough was second with a time of 31:33; and Elizabeth Culp was third at 37:34.

The 50-54 men’s age group was won by solo runner Ronaldo Quindoza at 41:35. The women’s Top 3 included Leonora Abuy at 40:11; Elizabeth Church with a time of 43:25; and Demaree Michelau at 44:44.

Nick Muna topped the 55-59 men’s age group with a time of 40:37; second was Kraig Church at 43:25; and Andrew Estepa was third at 44:44. The women’s Top 3 were Imee Altimirano at 39:33; Len Bernardo with 45:21; and Esther Muna at 1:01:11.

The 60+ men’s age group was dominated by Steven Pixley at 27:04; and Moises Santos with 59:12. Marie Sablan topped the women’s age group at 35:35; Meribeth Babauta was second at 39:54; and third was Emma Santos at 42:55.