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SOPHIA Walk on tap for Sportsfest
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Posted on Mar 31 2006
While the hype for the next two weeks will revolve mainly around the return of the 2006 XTERRA Saipan Championship and the 17th Tagaman Triathlon, one of the most popular events of the Saipan Sportsfest deserves equal billing as the CNMI readies for the return of the SOPHIA Walk.
Last year there were 114 participants who took the stroll alongside the beautiful waters of the Saipan Lagoon, including 22 participants from the Turtle Association of Japan—whose members stretch across the entire nation.
While the group will not be able to return for the event this year, they will still be coming to the CNMI for Saipan World Walking Day on Sunday, May 14.
According to SAIWAI officer Mario Espeleta, the event is considered special because it was started by the former first lady Sophia Tenorio.
“At that time, people used shoulder of the road to walk, and the construction of the beach pathways just started. The event gave birth to the tie with the Turtle Association of Japan,” he said.
The wildly popular event is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, April 9, with registration starting at 4:30pm at the Chamolinian Cultural Village.
As with years past, participants will stretch their legs and take in the sights as they walk along the Beach Road pathway in Garapan from the village toward the Hyatt Regencu Saipan pavilion at Micro Beach, and continue to the turnaround point near the future site of the Puerto Rico Park and back to the village.
The cost to enter the SOPHIA Walk is $6, and includes the evening fun as well as refreshments. For more information about the SOPHIA Walk, contact Espeleta by calling 287-8786.
