A GROUP of runners from the United States, Canada and Poland reached the halfway mark in their pursuit of the Pacific Island Countries Challenge on Monday at American Memorial Park. The challenge involves five marathons across the Asia-Pacific region.
The marathon on Saipan started at 3 a.m. and ended around 11 a.m. with JC Santa Teresa finishing over an hour ahead of the group.
He said his Pacific journey was inspired by the New England Challenge, a series of six runs held on consecutive days in six New England states.
“In those races, they just run the race and leave and don’t get to know what the state is known or famous for. So, for me as a craft beer guy, I see what beer they have but for this [Pacific] challenge, I wanted people to see different cultures and, for the veterans, to show them the history of World War II in Saipan and Guam and…the Philippines.”
He said most of the participants are runners past their prime, but they still have the will to put in the miles.
Joining them on Monday were five Run Saipan members: Ann Bang, Chad Taflinger, Landen Taflinger, Dr. Ron Snyder and Philip Joseph Santos.
“One does not simply run 26.2 miles on a workday — on a Monday,” Santos said.
But he joined the event anyway to train for the Saipan Marathon slated for March.
“I’m grateful to have a workplace that allows me to be flexible so I’m off this morning to be able to run a full marathon,” Santos said. “I preferred this course because it’s flat. Everyone was super supportive and thankful to Run Saipan and the Pacific Island Countries Challenge. I believe they’ve been going through different islands, and I don’t know how these guys do it. I really pushed past my limits and achieved my [personal record] of 4 hours and 45 minutes.”
Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz Jr., for his part, thanked the Marianas Visitors Authority for supporting the event.
“MVA provided beautiful shell necklaces and limited edition MVA travel bags as a welcoming gift when [challenge participants] arrived at the airport. Thank you to [MVA Managing Director] Chris [Concepcion] and his team for the support. Thank you to the new Marianas Beach Resort for providing their restrooms for the runners. It was a life saver today,” Dela Cruz said.
Run Saipan members pose with a group of Pacific Island Countries Challenge participants on Monday morning.
Philip Joseph Santos completes the marathon.
JC Santa Teresa poses with his medal and coconut after completing the marathon.
Run Saipan’s Robin Sapong hands a coconut to a runner who completed the marathon.
