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77 run, walk, crawl in fundraiser
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Posted on Mar 26 2006
A total of 77 supporters of the hosting of the 6th Micronesian Games invaded the American Memorial Park Saturday morning, taking part in the Micro Games Supporters Club 5K Fun/Run/Craw l.
The fun run began at 8am, with participants from the CNMI Men’s National Basketball Team, triathletes, swimmers, track and field stars, and many others registering as early at 7am while each donating $10, which will benefit the Games.
Veteran triathlete Ronald Villafra was able to take top honors as he showcased his speed by reaching the finish line in 19:25.84, while marathoner Stuart Smith placed second in 19:29 despite a relaxing start.
Longtime roadrunner Steve Pixley was third to cross the finish line in 19:51 while Marianas High School student Nate Mateo, who will be looking to qualify in athletics for the Games, placed fourth with a time of 20:51.63.
The first female to finish the fun race was teenage runner Bo Wang as she clocked in at 20:54.20, while multi-sport young gun Champ Untalan completed the course in 21:02.58.
Triathlete Lewie Tenorio, who will represent the CNMI in the summer Games, also put on a good show as he stormed through the course in 21:02.60, punching a time four seconds better than eighth-place finisher Tamio Nishikido, who crossed the finish line in 21:06.61.
Rounding up the Top 10 were Sathiyapalan Kalarikkal, who finished in 21:53.88 and Shan Seman, who clocked in at 22:44.09.
With the number of participants, a total of $770 was raised during the event.
All finishers also received official Micronesian Games T-shirts, which were provided by PTI.
Assisting Micronesian Games Organizing Committee official Bob Coldeen were officials of Northern Marianas Athletics and the Saipan Swim Club.
The Micronesian Games will be held on Saipan from June 23 to July 3, with organizers expecting between 1,200 to 1,500 athletes and officials from the CNMI, Guam, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Palau, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Kiribati, and Yap.
