Previous Story
SOPHIA Walk, World Walking Day on May 11
|
Posted on Apr 20 2008
The Saipan Walking Association will hold the combined 9th Annual SOPHIA Walk and World Walking Day on May 11 in cooperation with J.M. and Associates.
Named after former first lady Sophia Tenorio, SOPHIA stands for Saipan Outdoor Physical Health Invigorating Adventure, while World Walking Day was initiated by the International Federation of Popular Sports and is celebrated in the month of May by IVV member countries and direct member clubs around the world.
According to SAIWAI vice president Yoichi Matsumura the SOPHIA Walk and World Walking Day will be held along the beautiful shore of the Saipan Beach Pathway. It will also offer both 5- and 10-kilometer routes. It will have a 7am start time.
“As you may know, since the inception of this annual international walking event, SOPHIA Walk, SAIWAI has taken the lead to carry out this event in camaraderie with Japan Turtle Club as well as the Hasaki Rotary Club of Japan. Holding the event has served and shown our commitment to the continuing friendship and building better relations with the participants from Japan.”
Last year, the World Walking Day Walk attracted 102 participants, 20 of which were members of the Nippon Turtle Association.
Aside from the 20 Japanese walkers, which included the event’s oldest participant, 85-year-old Jo Izumi, the walk also drew American, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, Chamorro and Carolinian participants.
Like all SAIWAI activities, IVV members will receive credit for joining the 9th Annual SOPHIA Walk and World Walking Day. The IVV has member walking clubs in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Nepal, Australia, New Zealand, the CNMI, and 29 other European countries, including Germany.
The next event in SAIWAI’s calendar is the 2nd Annual PTI Aqua Walk set for June 12.
For more information about SAIWAI and its future events, contact Mario at 322-8876, Hiroko at 322-8781, or Bea at 285-1694.
SAIWAI was incorporated as a non-profit corporation on July 27, 2001, and was established to promote public health through non-competitive walking.
