Runners lining up for the Saipan Marathon

Organizers of Saipan’s first-ever marathon released the latest figures for next month’s 10km, Half-Marathon, and inaugural Saipan Marathon yesterday afternoon, and all signs point to a strong showing in January.

Previously, the president of Northern Marianas Athletics, Kurt Barnes, said that he’ll consider the marathon portion of the event successful if somewhere between 23-30 runners opt for the challenge that will take them from “Finisher’s Street” at the American Memorial Park to Marpi for the first turnaround before sending them back along Beach Road to the PIC and back for the home stretch.

With half of the members already on the list and another 30 on the way from the Korean peninsula, it looks like the local race will be a hit right from the start.

If the recent running of the 33rd Annual Honolulu Marathon can be used as an example, the local race could be a major boost to the CNMI economy. Of the 28,048 people who registered for the long-running event, 61 percent, or 17,345 of the participants were from Japan, while over 6,016 were from Hawaii, and another 3,437 hailed from the U.S. mainland. The remaining 1,250 came from a several different countries that included Kenya—the homeland of first place finisher Jimmy Miundi.

In its first year, 151 of 167 racers finished the Honolulu Marathon. So far, 11 people have made their intentions clear to run the full-length Saipan Marathon while a delegation of 30 runners from Korean have already booked rooms at an area hotel for the event with the aim of legging out the inaugural event.

Representatives from local hotels, athletic associations, government agencies, and volunteer groups have spent countless hours planning the 26.2-mile race, and aside from receiving the good news about the participants, they were elated when 16 businesses—including Saipan Shipping, Co., CTSI Logistics, GIG Discotheque, Saipan Sunset Cruise, Inc., Fiesta Hotel, Saipan Sea Ventures, Sea Star, Inc., Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino, Pacific Islands Club, Century Insurance Co., Ltd, Budget Rental Car, The Visitor’s Channel, Caronel Watch Center, Pacific Micronesia Tours, Island Apparel, and Duty Free Shoppers—pledged their support.

After years of luring runners from Japan and Korea to compete in the now famous 13.1-mile Saipan Half-Marathon, the MVA and Northern Marianas Athletics (formerly the Northern Mariana Islands Track and Field Federation) are little less than a month away from doubling the distance for the ultimate endurance challenge.

The cost to tackle the longest race in the history of the CNMI is $35, and the fee for the half-marathon will remain the same at $25, but in an effort to curb the rush of last-minute entries, organizers are adding a $10 fee to anyone not registered for either of the three races by Friday, Jan. 13, 5pm. Registration will, however; remain open with the penalty pricing until the following week on Friday, Jan. 20, at 5pm.

History will be set in January when the top three runners in the male and female division take the tape as first ever finishers.

Last year, Jung Young Kim and Marcan Aldan topped the 215-runner field during the 24th Annual Saipan Half Marathon & 19th Annual 10-kilometer Fun Run, respectively, and this time around the top three male and female finishers winners of the 21.1km and 10km as well as the age groupers in the 14 & under, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 and above will be rewarded.

For more information about the inaugural Saipan Marathon, the 25th running of the Saipan Half-Marathon, or the 10km, contact Ed Diaz at MVA by calling 664-3210, or Barnes by calling 235-5853 or via email at kurtproa@yahoo.com.