Beijing TV touts 2015 Saipan Marathon

Beijing TV sports channel filmed on Saipan this month to prepare promotional programming for the island and the 10th Saipan Marathon on April 25, 2015.

A 20-minute program on the Northern Mariana Islands and the marathon will air to the station’s 20 million viewers. BTV will also air a 30-second ad 10 times daily throughout the month of March.

“We’re seeing incremental increases in the number of Chinese visitors joining the Saipan Marathon, and we hope the BTV coverage will further increase that number this year,” said Marianas Visitors Authority marketing manager Bruce Bateman. “Our emphasis is that the marathon offers shorter courses like the 10K and half-marathon for the less-fit athlete and that the attractions of the Northern Marianas are available to be enjoyed during marathon weekend and anytime throughout the year.”

As part of its destination video, BTV will feature an island tour of Banzai Cliff, Suicide Cliff, and Bird Island Lookout, snorkeling at Grotto with Marianas Trekking, snorkeling, lunch and a tour of Managaha, standup paddle boarding with SUP SPN, an ATV tour of Mt. Tapochau with Let’s Go Tour, a Seawalker tour, a discovery flight aerial tour, 360 Night Market, and the marathon route along Beach Road. Saipan athlete Mamiko Berger was also interviewed.

The 10th Saipan Marathon will feature marathon, half-marathon, 10K, and 50K courses.

Early registration for the 50K and marathon is $55 for U.S. and NMI participants, and $45 for half-marathon and 10K participants. Early registration must be made by March 27, 2015. An additional late fee of $10 will apply to registrations submitted after March 27. The last day to register for the event will be on April 10, 2015, at 5pm. Registration will include the awards banquet, a finishers T-shirt, and a certificate of completion.

The start will take place at the American Memorial Park at 4am for the 50k and the Marathon, at 5am for the half-marathon, and at 5:45am for the 10K. The cut-off time for the 50K and marathon will be 8:30am at the halfway point in front of Bridge Capital in Garapan.

All competitors are required to pick up their race packets on April 24, 2015, at American Memorial Park, without exception.

Entry forms are available at the MVA office located on Beach Road in San Jose or on the MVA official website Event Calendar at www.mymarianas.com. For more information contact Ed Diaz at the MVA at 664-3210 or through email at ediaz@mymarianas.com. (MVA)