CHASE Talbot and Robyn Spaeth topped their respective divisions in the Gecko 5000 race on Saturday at Banzai Cliff.
Talbot, along with a few others, had a late start and had a separate timed run, but that did not stop him from excelling. The Open Men’s 8K started at Banzai Cliff and stretched uphill toward Suicide Cliff before the turnaround and back to Banzai Cliff.
Talbot cleared the course with a time of 00:37:13 while Sildrey Veloria, who ran in the first group, settled for second place with a time of 00:37:18. Chong Nam Lee came in third at 00:41:42.
Matt Furan was fourth with a time of 00:43:32; Travis Spaeth was fifth (00:44:22); Paul Kang, sixth (00:45:32); Rommel Bartolo, seventh (00:47:08); Raul Rosalita, eighth (00:58:00); Eliiah Rosalita, ninth (01:05:00); and Paul Manglona, tenth (01:34:00).
“It was great!” Talbot said. “It was nice to be outside and see Banzai Cliff — it was beautiful,” he added. “I’m from Utah so I’m used to the hills and that was kind of my sweet spot.”
Talbot plans to join other Run Saipan events while he is on the island for a year. “It’s nice to be involved and give back to the community in some way,” he said. “Saipan is beautiful, it’s a secret paradise and everyone is friendly.”
Women’s division
In the Open Women’s 6K, Robyn Spaeth finished first with a time of 00:34:29, followed by Ann Bang who clocked 00:38:52, Pam Walsh with a time of 00:40:42 and Bartolo Maritess at 00:41:03.
As for the 5K Fun Run, the leaders were Jeremy West and Christine Cho.
The participants of Gecko 5000’s 5K fun run and open divisions take off from the starting line at Banzai Cliff on Saturday.
Robyn Spaeth crosses the finish line of the Gecko 5000 Open Women’s 6K Division Saturday at Banzai Cliff.
Chase Talbot smiles as he finishes first in the Gecko 5000 Open Men’s 8K Division Saturday at Banzai Cliff.
