VETERAN runners Marshall Hoskins and Tania Tan are this month’s stars of the Run Saipan Underground 21.5 5K event as they finished first in their respective divisions Saturday at Banzai Cliff.
This month, Run Saipan brought runners into the jungle scene with the race starting at the Last Command Point and proceeding through the jungle before ending at Banzai Cliff.
Marshall Hoskins finished first place overall as well, clocking in at 00:20:31 with Ken Song trailing closely behind at 00:20:59. Taro Goto finished third in the men’s division by crossing the finish line at 00:22:58
It was Tania Tan, however, who came in third overall while topping the women’s division with a time of 00:21:34. Following behind was another veteran runner, Noriko Jim, with a finish time of 00:23:35 while Audrey Christley finished third in the women’s division with a time of 00:24:50.
The event was held in honor of retired educator and former Northern Marianas Sports Association vice president Kurt C. Barnes Ed.D. who is back on island after relocating to California four years ago.
“We were old that Dr. Barnes was going to be here for the summer,” Run Saipan Underground said. “We made sure to make the 5K for him so he can see the running community we have now that was built off what he started. It was great to have him there and get to know the new runners and see how far the CNMI has come since he forged our athletics program. His family also came out for another great event.”
In addition, this month’s race was a preview of the Gecko 5000 event to be held in September by Saipan International School. It’s a 5K race for high school children and an 8K event for adults.
The next Run Saipan Underground 21.6 5K event will be held on Saturday, July 10 at American Memorial Park. Time of the event and other details will be announced soon.
Members of Run Saipan pose for a photo after completing this month’s Underground 5K race at Banzai Cliff on Saturday.
Tania Tan crosses the finish line of the June Underground 5K race at Banzai Cliff on Saturday.
