Marathon draws continued international attention

Months of planning have come down to only a week and a half before the CNMI hosts the inaugural Saipan Marathon, and while interest has poured in from throughout the region, runners from foreign lands are still looking into the local race.

After getting confirmation from participants hailing from Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, and the Philippines, the organizing committee caught word of interest coming from a Kenyan residing in Australia.

Kenyan Joseph Maina Ndirangu recently reached out to the planners via email from his current home in Melbourne, Australia in an effort to add another international race to his resume.

In his letter to the Marianas Visitors Authority, Ndirangu inquired about the eligibility for entry and got all of the information he could handle from Ed Diaz.

Diaz thanked Ndirangu for his interest in the upcoming race, replied with all of the pertinent race information, but is currently awaiting a response.

Last July, Ndirangu managed to finish in ninth place in Australia’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon with a time of 2:25:29, but he stated that he previously hit a personal best time of 2:11:53.

If he comes to Saipan next weekend, Ndirangu will be one of the clear favorites to win the 26.2-mile journey along the island’s spine

So far, more than 20 runners have submitted their applications to do the full course at 3:30am on Saturday, Jan. 21, and an additional 30 participants from Korea and an unknown number of Japanese joggers are still being mentioned as possible participants.

According to Northern Marianas Athletics president Kurt Barnes, organizers of the mega-trek to the poles of Saipan are expecting anywhere between 25-50 challengers.

The cost to tackle the longest race in the history of the CNMI is $35, and the fee for the half-marathon and 10km 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, at 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.

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