Danao, Hagiwara rule Peace Half Marathon

While many were still enjoying the comforts of their owns beds, Ceasar Danoa and Akiko Hagiwara were busy making their push for supremacy, challenging fellow long-distance runners in the 1st Saipan Peace Half Marathon.

Danao and Hagi-wara were successful in their bid for top honors, crossing the finish ahead of all competitors in their division after working up a good sweat from the American Memorial Park to the Pacific Islands Club and back, a distance of about 13.1 miles.

Despite finishing with the best time of the event at 1:34:59, Danao explained that although happy he won, he is not too satisfied with his performance.

“It’s about three minutes off my time,” he said shortly after the win. “I haven’t been practicing the way I should…maybe only three times I did my workout before [yesterday].”

Also making his presence felt was Yosh Gabaldon, who took runner-up honors after finishing in 1:40:02, while fellow triathlete Butch Sublemente tackled the challenge in 1:40:53.

For her part, Hagiwara topped the women’s field with a sterling time of 1:43:16. Veteran distance runner Monica Yamaguchi was the other female competitor and placed second after clocking in at 1:56:03.

With their wins, Danao and Hagiwara each pocketed $300 cash, while Gabaldon and Yamaguchi racked up $200 apiece. Sublemente earned $100.

For his part, Palau South Pacific Mini Games-bound Jack Kabiriel added another shiny moment to his list of accomplishments as he topped the 10K competition, while Japan’s Meiko Motoyoshi ran like the wind to win the women’s category.

Kabiriel bested 10 other competitors in the men’s category, completing the course in just 42:32, while longtime roadrunner Steve Pixley earned second place with a time of 42:59. Third place went to Kalarikkal Sathiyapala, who trailed Pixley by just 31 seconds and rested after running for 48:30.

Racoma Alexander and Vernesto Apostol also broke into the top five, finishing in 48:47 and 48:56.

Meanwhile, Motoyoshi was cruising through Beach Road and finished in 49:02 for first place, while Arai Hiraku and Kamba Tomomi placed second and third with times of 52:15 and 1:01:41.

Brenda Schultz and Eva Johnson also had notable performances, clocking in at 1:04:28 and 1:06:49 for fourth and fifth place.

Kabiriel and Motoyoshi took home $200 apiece for their performances, while Pixley and Hiraku won $100. Tomomi and Sathiyapala went home with cell phone chargers.

The top three winners of each category in both the half marathon and 10K were also presented medals.

In all, a total of 78 runners took part in the event.