{"id":424594,"date":"2024-11-29T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-29T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=424594"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Santos-Miller-feast-to-1st-place-finish-in-Turkey-Trot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Santos-Miller-feast-to-1st-place-finish-in-Turkey-Trot\/","title":{"rendered":"Santos, Miller feast to 1st place finish in Turkey Trot"},"content":{"rendered":"

An abundance of fog, cold, rain, and mud was counteracted by the abundance of thanks, smiles through the pain, family time, and the chance for a free turkey for the over 140 early Thanksgiving morning runners of the Northern Marianas Athletics\u2019 Mt. Tapochau Turkey Trot 2024.<\/p>\n

Emerging to be one of the fastest runners in Saipan\u2014high school junior Victor Nash Santos\u2014gobbled up the 4.2-mile uphill trek up the highest peak with a time of 40:19 and was rewarded with a turkey for his efforts.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Akiko Miller was the fastest woman with a time of 45 minutes flat.<\/p>\n

The 16-year-old Santos, who was also first place last year, said that this year\u2019s race was harder. \u201cI\u2019ve started playing soccer a little bit and my ankle has been really hurting and just being able to push through this is a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n

As to why he woke up early on Thanksgiving Day to join the race again, he said he wanted to come back and try to defend his title. He also said, \u201cI love this uphill environment. I feel like it\u2019s really challenging and helps you mentally and physically. It\u2019s just a good challenge for me and I enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

With what he\u2019s grateful for this year, he said, \u201cFirst I want to say I’m grateful for Jesus Christ for giving me the privilege to run, compete, and being able to finish, and for also helping me through everything this year. I am also grateful for my family for always being there for me to support me and my friends for making my life a lot better and for just being a part of my life!\u201d<\/p>\n

For 55-year-old Miller, she said that it\u2019s probably her second time to join the annual race. She said she wanted to join for fun and \u201cI want to eat a lot of turkey tonight so I need to exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n

The course, she said, was so tough. \u201cI usually run on flat ground so I never trained for uphill\u2014it\u2019s so hard\u2026 the 4K point was so hard.\u201d But despite the early morning showers and cold weather, she said it did not deter her from joining the race.<\/p>\n

She then gave thanks to Northern Marianas Athletics, Run Saipan, and all volunteers. \u201cThey were hard working for us to organize the race and help the runners,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The 2024 Turkey Trot is sponsored by Run Saipan, Joeten Enterprises, IT&E CNMI, Triple J Group of Companies, MARPAC, and Saipan Vegas Resort.<\/p>\n

The rest of the Top 3 in the men\u2019s and women\u2019s divisions along with the age group winners will be published in the next issue of Saipan Tribune.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Repeat overall champion Victor Nash Santos, right, poses with women\u2019s overall first place Akiko Miller after the Northern Marianas Athletics\u2019 Mt. Tapochau Turkey Trot 2024 yesterday at Mt. Tapochau.<\/p>\n

-LEIGH GASES
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

Repeat overall first place student athlete Victor Nash Santos is seen at the finish line at the top of Mt. Tapochau during the Northern Marianas Athletics\u2019 Mt. Tapochau Turkey Trot 2024 yesterday.<\/p>\n

-LEIGH GASES
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

First place in the women\u2019s division, Akiko Miller, trudges up the last few steps to the finish line atop Mt. Tapochau during the Northern Marianas Athletics\u2019 Mt. Tapochau Turkey Trot 2024 yesterday.<\/p>\n

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

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