Months of planning have come down to only a week and a half before the CNMI hosts the inaugural Saipan Marathon, and while interest has poured in from throughout the region, runners from foreign lands are still looking into the local race. <\/p>\n
After getting confirmation from participants hailing from Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, and the Philippines, the organizing committee caught word of interest coming from a Kenyan residing in Australia.<\/p>\n
Kenyan Joseph Maina Ndirangu recently reached out to the planners via email from his current home in Melbourne, Australia in an effort to add another international race to his resume.<\/p>\n
In his letter to the Marianas Visitors Authority, Ndirangu inquired about the eligibility for entry and got all of the information he could handle from Ed Diaz.<\/p>\n
Diaz thanked Ndirangu for his interest in the upcoming race, replied with all of the pertinent race information, but is currently awaiting a response. <\/p>\n
Last July, Ndirangu managed to finish in ninth place in Australia’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon with a time of 2:25:29, but he stated that he previously hit a personal best time of 2:11:53.<\/p>\n
If he comes to Saipan next weekend, Ndirangu will be one of the clear favorites to win the 26.2-mile journey along the island’s spine<\/p>\n
So far, more than 20 runners have submitted their applications to do the full course at 3:30am on Saturday, Jan. 21, and an additional 30 participants from Korea and an unknown number of Japanese joggers are still being mentioned as possible participants.<\/p>\n
According to Northern Marianas Athletics president Kurt Barnes, organizers of the mega-trek to the poles of Saipan are expecting anywhere between 25-50 challengers.<\/p>\n
The cost to tackle the longest race in the history of the CNMI is $35, and the fee for the half-marathon and 10km will remain the same at $25, but in an effort to curb the rush of last-minute entries, organizers are adding a $10 fee to anyone not registered for either of the three races by Friday, Jan. 13, at 5pm. Registration will, however; remain open with the penalty pricing until the following week on Friday, Jan. 20, at 5pm. <\/p>\n
History will be set in January when the top three runners in the male and female division take the tape as first ever finishers. <\/p>\n
For more information about the Saipan Marathon, the 25th running of the Saipan Half-Marathon, or the 10km, contact Diaz at MVA by calling 664-3210, or Barnes by calling 235-5853 or via email at kurtproa@yahoo.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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