160 walkers take on the turkey in walk

Over 100 persons spent Saturday morning trekking along the Beach Road Pathway as part of the 4th Annual Don’t Be A Turkey Walk—an event intended to promote healthy lifestyle practices in the Commonwealth.

About 121 registered walkers and runners, as well as several others who did not register, took the challenge of tackling the 5K or 10K course. In all, an estimated 160 individuals took part in the event.

Funds generated from the walk will go toward community and public awareness programs conducted by the coalition composed of the Commonwealth Diabetes Coalition, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Department of Public Health, Ayuda Network, and Saipan Walking Association. Formerly dubbed the SAIWAI Thanksgiving Walk, the event began in 2001.

“The Thanksgiving Walk started 2001, and it’s the maiden event for SAIWAI so it’s special for us,” said Mario Espeleta of SAIWAI. “We give thanks that we have this beautiful place and the main goal of course is for public health, and also to create and build friendship…. It’s for better health and better life. This is not a competition; anyone—young or old—can participate at [his or her] own pace while enjoying the scenery.”

Eleven-year-old Jun Mendiola, a student at San Vicente Elementary School, said he participated so he could be a healthier person. “I walked to become healthy. I was told that exercise is something I have to do to be healthy.”

Teen Kyle Cabael agrees, saying that he “was happy to come and walk, especially because I don’t exercise everyday.”

Ayuda Network executive director Konrad Reyes echoed a similar message, citing that one reason the coalition held the event was to provide an opportunity for individuals to exercise and learn the benefits of doing so.

“This is a great opportunity for them to go out there and walk, and that has good benefits in itself,” he said. “What we did today is very worthwhile. The simple fact that we extended the opportunity for anyone, even a couple of persons to do it…is worth it.”

The event also featured various testings—blood sugar and blood pressure—conducted by DPH staff.

“Beyond walking, we have the tests, and this is just a step toward providing for the community. Several folks learned that they have diabetes and they didn’t know that. Many don’t get checked because they don’t feel they have it. By having something like this, people can just come and say ‘Okay, let me just check.’”

About 3,000 individuals are registered diabetics in the Commonwealth; however, the number is understated as it does not include many who do not get tested, as well as the numbers from private clinics.