(Press Release) — Run Saipan may have been organizing 5K Fun Runs since last Spring but they just made it official as an incorporated, non-profit running club. They held their first board meeting and are preparing to welcome members
Edward J. Dela Cruz Jr. was installed as president of Run Saipan during the club’s first meeting on August 18, 2021 in the Saipan International School conference room. Also installed were vice-president Jiayi Kong, and secretary/treasurer Ron Snyder.
In addition, the following members will serve on the club’s board of directors:
• Robin Sapong
• Tania Tan
“We have a lot of great things planned for our club,” said Dela Cruz. “Starting in the new year, we will have a full membership package available for runners and walkers of all ages and will tie them all together through a special Run Saipan Cup.”
“We also look forward to building our Youth Athletics program in support of the World Athletics Imitative of ‘Giving every child in the world access to our sports.’ We will be starting a partnership with the Atlanta Track and Field Club called Kilometer Kids that seeks to promote running through play-based activities,” added Snyder.
“One of our other initiatives will be to further develop support for off-island athletes like our youngest board member, Tania Tan, who is a Cross Country and Track athlete at Fordham University,” said Sapong, who is also general secretary of Northern Marianas Athletics and president of Oceania Athletics. “By continuing to work with our federation’s athletes, wherever they are in the world, we will ensure the rapid development of our support and its continued growth in regional events.”
About Run Saipan
Run Saipan seeks to promote a healthy lifestyle in the CNMI by supporting community projects such as regular 5K races, running and nutrition workshops, sending athletic ambassadors to the schools and working with Northern Marianas Athletics to increase the opportunities for cardiovascular health available to all residents in the Commonwealth, regardless of running ability or experience.
From left, Run Saipan’s secretary/treasurer Dr. Ron Snyder, vice president Jiayi Kong, president Edward Dela Cruz Jr., board members Tania Tan and Robin Sapong.
