{"id":409096,"date":"2024-05-07T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=409096"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Force-is-strong-with-Jordan-Kaithlyn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Force-is-strong-with-Jordan-Kaithlyn\/","title":{"rendered":"Force is strong with Jordan, Kaithlyn"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Force was strong with Jordan Ruiz and Andrei Kaithyln Chavez as they topped their respective divisions in the 4th Annual Star Wars Day Run\/Walk, hosted by Run Saipan last Saturday at the American Memorial Park.<\/p>\n

In the \u201c5K NMI Jedi Open\u201d men\u2019s division, Ruiz came in first with a time of 19:26 from the course that started at AMP to the not so far away Gov. Eloy Inos Peace Park. A close second went to Joel Phair just two seconds behind, 19:28, and third place went to Landen Taflinger at 19:44.03.<\/p>\n

Chavez, in the female division, was first with a sub-21 minute 5K time at 20:45; second went to Addalee Taflinger with a time of 23:37; and third was An Bang who clocked in at 24:19.<\/p>\n

There was also a Padawan 1 Mile fun run\/walk for children 18 and under, and a costume contest after the race.<\/p>\n

Cortland Winkfield won first place and $100 for his Mandalorian costume made out of cardboard; tied for second place and $50 was Scott Smith as Princess Leia Organa from Star Wars: A New Hope, and Tammy Ackerman as Han Solo. Third place and $25 went to John Moreno as Count Dooku.<\/p>\n

Ruiz ran into first place overall sans costume because he said he\u2019s never dressed up even for Halloween in years. He is also not a big Star Wars fan but said the event was \u201cawesome.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI really enjoyed going up Peace Park because I\u2019ve never been up there. So, it was a nice course, a change of environment. It was pretty cool.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Chavez, she said that the race was fun, \u201cconsidering we barely have races going up Peace Park. The hill was a bit hard but it was a great way to push yourself. I was leading the whole time so I decided to try and finish in a fast time.\u201d<\/p>\n

She ran into first place also sans costume because she\u2019s not a Star Wars fan, but she\u2019s heard great things about it. \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll use a costume next year, we\u2019ll see,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Run Saipan president Edward Dela Cruz Jr. said they partnered with the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.\u2019s Public Health Department in honor of Adolescent Health Month. They sponsored 100 adolescent entries aged 12-18.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you to Heather Pangelinan and Tony Yarobwemal for partnering with us. This is one of the great ways organizations can help donate. Instead of donating directly they can sponsor entries like CHCC did. Thank you CHCC. We hope they run it again next year with us,\u201d said Dela Cruz.<\/p>\n

Run Saipan\u2019s Dr. Ron Snyder then said that the event was a success with a great turnout. \u201cEven though we conflicted with the elementary track and field event, we had 192 registered runners, and a lot of people came and ran with their families, so it was well over 200 people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

For Pangelinan, she said one of their initiatives is to work to improve adolescents\u2019 health so they can grow to be healthy adults.<\/p>\n

\u201cPhysical health is linked to mental health and there are a lot of mental health benefits around being physically active. So, it\u2019s one of the reasons why we decided to partner with Run Saipan to promote physical activity amongst our CNMI population\u2014most especially our youth who are vulnerable and are transitioning into adulthood. So, we want to set them up for successful futures,\u201d said Pangelinan.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jordan Ruiz runs into first place overall in the \u201c5K NMI Jedi Open\u201d men\u2019s division of the 4th Annual Star Wars Day Run\/Walk last Saturday at the American Memorial Park.<\/p>\n

-LEIGH GASES
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<\/p>\n

Andrei Kaithlyn Chavez runs into first place in the \u201c5K NMI Jedi Open\u201d women\u2019s division of the 4th Annual Star Wars Day Run\/Walk last Saturday at the American Memorial Park.<\/p>\n

-LEIGH GASES
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<\/p>\n

Participants of the 4th Annual Star Wars Day Run\/Walk, hosted by Run Saipan, pose for a group photo last Saturday at the American Memorial Park.<\/p>\n

-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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<\/p>\n

Costume contest winners of the 4th Annual Star Wars Day Run\/Walk, hosted by Run Saipan, pose with Run Saipan\u2019s Dr. Ron Snyder, left, and Northern Marianas College president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, right, during the awards ceremony at the American Memorial Park.<\/p>\n

-LEIGH GASES
<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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