COUPLE Hiroki and Tomomi Nakajima topped their respective divisions in the Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on Saturday morning.
The full marathon category started and ended at American Memorial Park, with runners following a course that stretched 26.2 miles from Micro Beach to Banzai Cliff and back.
The race started at 4 a.m. Hiroki Nakajima battled not only other runners but also the darkness and unfamiliarity of the course. However, that didn’t stop him from delivering a dominant performance, finishing first overall with a time of 2:29.25.
What made the win even more special was his wife, Tomomi Nakajima, claiming first place in the women’s division.
Tomomi also topped the women’s division in 2020, clocking 2:54:41. Her official 2025 results had not yet been released as of press time Sunday afternoon.
In an interview, Hiroki said he joined the race so he and Tomomi could become champions together.
Hiroki added, “I’m really happy — I really wanted to win the race together.”
Tomomi said she loved the course, adding that it was “very hard and dark” at the start but that later, “the ocean and sunlight were very beautiful.”
The Saipan race was Hiroki and Tomomi’s third and fourth marathons of the year. They participated in the Osaka Marathon two weeks ago and the Hong Kong Marathon a month ago, while Tomomi also competed in the Osaka Women’s Marathon a month and a half ago.
“Running is very fun,” said Tomomi.
“We will be back next year —please invite me!” Hiroki added.
Tomomi’s results, along with those of the other racers, will be published in the next edition of Variety.
Hiroki and Tomomi Nakajima display their first-place medals in the Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 at Micro Beach on Saturday morning.
A runner celebrates as he crosses the finish line of the Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 at Micro Beach on Saturday morning.
