GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres is challenging government employees to participate in the 5K Fun Run on Saturday, May 14.
The run begins at 6 a.m., with the starting point at the Garapan Fishing Base and the turnaround point at the World War II tank on Beach Road.
The governor was joined by Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz Jr., Fit-to-Lead representative Ezra Yumul, and MVA project specialists Ed Diaz and Jack Aranda in a radio interview on Tuesday to talk about the Fit-to-Lead Challenge and the 5K Fun Run.
Governor Torres was challenged by UFC fighter Frank “The Crank” Camacho to complete a 5K.
“I’m confident that the governor can have a decent 5K time… I know the governor can do it. He has the capacity to make a positive difference in people’s lives through this. If he commits, I know many others will too. That is why I’m so excited and I challenge him to see if he really has what it takes,” said Camacho when he made the announcement in February.
The governor said he began his fitness journey after having a long and tough discussion with his wife, first lady Diann T. Torres, about his health.
Since then, he said he has been adamant about committing to a healthier lifestyle and prioritizing his health, in the hopes of having more time with his family, especially his young children.
However, he said he understands that, like many others, his fitness goals won’t happen overnight.
“I mean, it is a challenge, and it’s not going to be an overnight thing, but I’m still doing it, and I hope that we just look into making it a healthier Marianas,” he said.
He said he met his wife when he was 145 pounds only, and he will be doing his first 5K this weekend, after roughly 20 years.
“I’m excited for this and to have my whole family out there,” he said.
Since taking on this fitness journey, the governor said he feels better.
“But it’s still a challenge. I mean, I go to the gym and do workouts as much as I can. I try to do it every morning, or at least Monday to Friday. I am committed to it, and I’m still doing it. Yesterday, the other day, I did a run, jog, and it was fun,” he said.
“It’s not a competition… So many times, it’s just understanding what my body is and what my priority is. And I’m making it a priority, despite all the challenges.”
The governor said Frank “The Crank” invited him to work out on different beaches, which also helped him to appreciate the natural beauty of the islands.
“You appreciate Mother Nature and what God has given us to enjoy. Some of the other times, we would go to the beachfront, San Antonio or CK Beach, and really, there’s so much beauty that our islands offer. It’s not just running and jogging; you can go swimming or hiking. There are a lot of things here that I’m excited to experience myself. Sad to say, I haven’t been down to Forbidden Island, but that’s something that I want to do. I want to go down and try and hike down. But there are a lot of things here in the CNMI that we can enjoy out in the wilderness and outdoors,” he said.
The governor thanked Camacho for challenging him to take on this endeavor, and wished Camacho well on his next match also this Saturday in the U.S. mainland.
He also thanked community members for their positive feedback.
Moreover, he commended government employees for taking up to two hours every week to focus on their health, given the recent implementation of an executive order allowing executive branch employees to take paid health leave.
He said he understands that each individual has different home situations that might prevent them from prioritizing health and exercise, which is why he made the executive order.
“You have two hours that the administration is willing to pay for you to get to prioritize your health fitness journey.… If you’re able to take care of yourself through the government’s dime, so to speak, then everybody should take advantage of that,” he said.
He encourages everyone to participate in the 5K Fun Run this weekend, even if it’s just for a mile.
He said that during a different run two weeks ago, he was really touched to see a participant pushing their mother in a wheelchair.
“It’s not just trying to finish it, but just to come out and be part of the family togetherness. It’s really awesome,” he said regarding the upcoming fun run.
The 5K Fun Run is in conjunction with the Marianas Visitors Authority, the Fit-to-Lead program, and Run Saipan.
Run Saipan President Dela Cruz said the club is excited for this program, the fun run, and future runs.
“With the Fit-to-Lead program, Run Saipan is very happy that the governor started this initiative. We all understand that health is one of the most important things here in the CNMI. It’s one of the biggest, hottest topic issues to address right now, and I am so glad that it is being addressed at the highest level possible in the CNMI, which is our governor. Now, the fact that he’s doing the Fit-to-Lead challenge and showing everybody — social media — it’s very transparent how he’s doing his fitness journey, that as busy as he is, as being the leader of the Commonwealth, he still finds the time to take the priority of his health, so this is something I challenge everyone in the CNMI right now. If you have not done your health challenge, you’ve been wanting to start a health challenge, you need someone to push you, I will push you this Saturday if you join this 5K. Let this 5K this Saturday be the first start of your fitness journey. You do not have to run the entire 5K. Join us, walk with us, jog with us, run with us, worship this event with us. All we’re asking for you to do is to complete the 5K. This will be your first step into your fitness journey. You may not be a runner, but we will turn you into a runner on Saturday with the governor,” he said.
All runners will be timed this Saturday, courtesy of Run Saipan, Dela Cruz said.
He also noted that like past Run Saipan events, there will be a shorter turnaround point for children, to also engage young runners and their parents.
Dela Cruz is challenging Docomo Pacific, Northern Marianas College, Mt. Carmel School, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the Department of Public Safety, and the Commonwealth Ports Authority to take part in this 5K Fun Run.
He thanked the Office of the Governor, MVA, Run Saipan, Tan Holdings Corp., the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, and the Lady Diann Torres Foundation for their support.
MVA Project Specialist Diaz asked drivers and bicyclists to be mindful of the 5K Fun Run participants this weekend and to proceed with caution on Beach Road.
Fit-to-Lead representative Ezra Yumul said she is excited about the run, especially how it will expose participants in more areas to work out outdoors.
“You don’t necessarily need to go to a gym. You don’t need equipment. You can literally put on a pair of shoes and walk the pathway. The CNMI is so beautiful. We need to take advantage of using the pathway that we have already out here, the infrastructure, and walk and get fit. So, that’s one thing that I’m so excited about… We’re blessed to be living out here in the CNMI. It’s just so beautiful. I believe that the fun run should encourage a lot of people to walk the pathway, run, and et cetera,” she said.
All proceeds will go to the Diabetes Coalition and Run Saipan.
All donations are also welcomed and highly appreciated, Yumul said.
Early bib pickup will be on Friday, May 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cave Shop on Beach Road.
MVA is holding this CNMI Tourism Month Fun Run this Saturday in celebration of May Tourism Month.
The first wave of runners will start at 6:30 a.m. and the second wave at 7 a.m. Registration is $10, and participants may register in person at the MVA office in San Jose or the Office of the Governor on Capital Hill.
Registration will also be available at 6 a.m. on run day at the starting line.
A “CNMI Tourism Month/Fit-to-Lead” t-shirt will be given to the first 300 participants.
All participants will also receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes.
Participants are encouraged to wear tourist costumes during the 5K to win cash prizes.
For more information, visit www.mymarianas.com, www.facebook.com/VisitTheMarianas, or contact MVA Community Projects Specialist Jack Aranda at (670) 664-3200/1 or communityprojects@mymarianas.com
Ralph DLG Torres
