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2009 Marianas Coffee Trail Run draws 58 competitors
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Posted on Feb 11 2009
While most residents were still asleep, 58 trail runners were up before the crack of dawn last Jan. 31 on Saipan to compete in the 2nd Annual Marianas Coffee Trail Run.
Competitors began arriving at American Memorial Park Micro Beach at 5:30am to prepare for the 6:30am start, a quiet affair framed by a disarming pink and grey sunrise breaking over the course challenge ahead, the summit of Mt. Tapochao.
The 10-mile run headed through quiet morning traffic in Garapan up the shady roads of Navy Hill to the peak of Mt. Tapochao, the highest point of the island. More than a few runners had to drop from a run, to a jog, to a walk before making the summit—but none gave up.
The route wove back down the mountain to the finish line at the park, traversing the old growth plantation of Marianas Coffee owner Chuck Jordan, a young plantation and grove of wild coffee trees. The course also followed trails featured in the annual XTERRA Saipan Championship competition.
Topping the men’s corps was Handa Yunosuke of Japan (1:06:23), followed by Miyachi Fujiu of Japan (1:22:46), and Yosh Gabaldon of Saipan (1:38:19). The women were led by Kurara Tanaka of Japan (1:42:56), Saipan resident Mieko Carey (1:49:24), and Maria Benito of Guam (1:51:20).
A number of runners and walkers opted for the short six-mile course. The men on the short course were led by Scott Hayden of the U.S. (1:06:23), Chang Wan Jang of Saipan (1:06:26), and Stanley Paracale of the U.S. (1:23:20). Leading the women for the short course were Ericka Frink of the U.S. (1:26:34), Kathleen Herman of the U.S. (1:29:48), and Ryoko Chang of Korea (1:43:14).
Sixteen competitors from Japan and five runners from Guam traveled to Saipan for the event. Winners were honored at an island barbeque lunch at Micro Beach after the race. Each competitor also received a finisher’s T-shirt and certificate of participation.
Major sponsors of the event of the annual trail run are Marianas Coffee Company, Marianas Visitors Authority, Pacific Development, Inc., and Northern Marianas Athletics. MVA members such as Pacific Islands Club and IT&E have donated additional contributions in support of the event. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]
