The Japanese runners whose ages range from six to 80 years old, dominated the list of people who completed the over 42 kilometer run, and considered to be the largest annual marathon in the NMI.
All the top male finishers in the full marathon all hailed from the Asian country with Masaharu Kijima who completed the course in 2:53:15 hours winning the first place.
Placing second was Masahiko Nagasaka who crossed the finish line at 2:58:11 and Seijiro settled for the third place with 3:02:37 hour.
Winning the first place in the women’s run was Mayu Mochizuki also of Japan. She reached the finish line at 3:10:03, while Mamiko Berger of the NMI came second at 3:16:14.
Kimberly King-Hinds of Tinian won the third place as she finished the course in 3:34:53.
In the half marathon men’s category, Kennichi Yamuchi took first place with 1:17:24; Masaaki Nakahara claimed second with 1:18:55, and third was Hiroshi Siendo with 1:26:16.
Mari Ozaki topped the women’s half marathon with 1:19:39; Mika Okamoto second with 1:34:16, and Akiko Ofuchi third with 1:35:30.
The 10K Fun Run men’s division was dominated by Takeshi Aoyama of Japan who arrived at the finish line first at 00:37:51. Local runner, Ronald E. Villafria was behind him making it to the finish line at 41:22 and Mitsuru Kimuru placing third with 43:18.
The women’s division was another straight sweep for Japanese runners, with Noriko Jim in first place (00:41:33), Masako Uyama in second (00:47:57), and Akiko Miller in third (000:48:16).
Marianas Visitors Authority also noted that this year’s event drew 500 runners from Japan, the highest number compared to 386 runners from Japan last year and previous events.
Seven runners came from Korea, four runners hailed from the Philippines, and one runner was from South America.
Less than 100 NMI runners participated in the event which was covered by three international media outlets from Japan.
Six-year-old Lennosuke Suzuki and 80-year-old Toyoko Yabutani of Japan proved they had the right stuff by finishing the 10K and full marathon, respectively.
“The MVA thanks all the sponsors and volunteers who contributed so much to the success of this year’s event,” MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio said.
“This marathon met everyone’s expectations,” he added.
Joining the MVA as major sponsors of the Saipan Marathon this year were Oakley, Delta, Timex, DFS Galleria, Hotel
Association of the Northern Mariana Islands (HANMI), and Northern Mariana Athletics.
Other supporters of the event were Saipan Mayor Donald Flores and his office, Parks and Recreation, Department of Public Safety Traffic and EMS, Commonwealth Health Center, Hawaiian Rock Product, American Memorial Park, Department of Public Works, Japan Saipan Travel Association, Nippon Travel Agency, and numerous volunteers.
Aid Station Volunteers were organized by HANMI and included representatives from Mariana Resort & Spa, Palms Resort & Spa, Aqua Resort Club, IT&E, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Pacific Development Inc., Hafadai Beach Hotel, Tasi Tours, Fiesta Resort & Spa, Saipan Grand Hotel, World Resort Hotel, Coral Ocean Point, and Pacific Islands Club Saipan.
Next year’s Saipan Marathon/Half Marathon and 10K run is set for March 5, 2011. Planning is already underway to prepare for this event. For more information, contact MVA’s Ed Diaz at 1-670-664-3200/01 or [email protected].
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