{"id":395099,"date":"2023-07-03T06:04:46","date_gmt":"2023-07-02T20:04:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=395099"},"modified":"2023-07-03T06:04:46","modified_gmt":"2023-07-02T20:04:46","slug":"ann-bang-completes-first-marathon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/ann-bang-completes-first-marathon\/","title":{"rendered":"Ann Bang completes first marathon"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a>
Ann Bang shows off her finisher\u2019s medal and certificate completion after running the Park Love Marathon last Saturday in Seoul, South Korea.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Run Saipan long-distance master Ann Bang placed another feather on her cap after completing her first marathon event last Saturday in South Korea.<\/p>\n

The 49-year-old took part in the Park Love Marathon in Seoul and finished the 42-kilometer run in 5:41:52.<\/p>\n

Bang said the Park Love Marathon is a popular running event for veteran marathoners in the country for the past 20 years. It\u2019s held every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at the same time and place.<\/p>\n

She added the president of Korea Marathon TV has been running the event at his own expense for all people who love running.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was pleased to know this organization and completed my race successfully.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked what\u2019s the most challenging part of her first marathon, Bang said it was the searing hot weather.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hardest part of this run was absolutely the hot weather! I started running around 6am, but it was already hot and sunny. The temperature of the race day was 95 degrees fahrenheit and there was no wind. I strived to keep running without a walking break because once I walk or stop running, it\u2019s not easy to run again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, her favorite part of the Park Love Marathon was the warm welcome she received from everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost participants are veteran runners who have completed full marathons more than 100 times. They tried to help and encouraged me to complete my race. While I was running, they cheered me with an energetic shout-out of \u2018Go Saipan!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

What made Bang\u2019s full marathon feat more impressive was she completed it despite being under the weather in the runup to the event.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t prepare well for this race because I was sick for 10 days. Since I ran 20 kilometers 10 days ago, I couldn\u2019t run and I just took a lot of rest and took medicine. So, I hesitated to participate in this race, but I decided to run. I want to share the joy of completing my first full marathon with all my friends and fellow members of Run Saipan,\u201d said Bang.<\/p>\n

The next challenge for Bang, who returns to Saipan on July 23, is the JTBC Marathon on Nov. 5.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is one of three major races in Korea and 35,000 runners will participate. I\u2019m so excited about this race because I will run through the heart of Seoul!\u201d<\/p>\n

Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. congratulated Bang for her latest achievement.
\n\u201cAnn Bang is one of the\u2014if not the most\u2014intense runners I have ever met. If she says she will do something running related, she will obliterate that goal. Congratulations Ann for the first of many official marathons you will be running!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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