BABY Got Track, captained by Lily Muldoon, topped the 40th Annual Christmas Island Relay Open Mixed Team Division on Saturday morning with a time of 01:29:15.
The race route started at the Pacific Islands Club in San Antonio and ended at the Last Command Post in Marpi.
“It was an amazing run today,” Muldoon said in an interview. “These women, and one man, were awesome today,” she added, referring to her team members: Dixie Mendenhall, Kate Wilson, Ali Nelson and Michael Denevan.
“This is our first Christmas Island Relay,” Muldoon said. “It was great, what a beautiful day. The best part of it is having a team race and being able to have a relay where you are actually with teammates — it is glorious and way more fun,” she added.
In second place was Run Saipan Team A which was led by Angel San Nicolas and whose teammates were Rex Pixley, Tiana Cabrera, Leowell Cristobal, and Keith Ketola.
The team finished with a time of 01:33:13. “I want to thank everyone for pitching in their hard work,” San Nicolas said. “We gave it our all and left nothing in the gas tank.”
Finishing third was Run Saipan Team B: Edward Dela Cruz Jr. with Sildrey Veloria, Tania Tan, Reylynn Sapong, and Chong Nam Lee.
These experienced runners crossed the finish line with a time of 01:03:56. “It was great,” Dela Cruz said. “Everyone had fun today. It is a momentous experience for Run Saipan as it is our first time, as an official running organization in Saipan, to take part in the annual Christmas Island Relay.”
Dela Cruz said five teams from Run Saipan were supposed to participate but due to injuries and the Covid-19 pandemic, only three could join the event.
Agape Team A, which had claimed the top spot for the past six years, came in fourth this year.
Sato’s Kings Club finished fifth at 01:37:05; Team Dark Horse was sixth with a time of 01:43:14; and Saipan Paddling Club was seventh with a time of 01:47:23.
A tribute to Bob Coldeen
Northern Marianas Athletics secretary general Robin Sapong said the charity event was dedicated to retired KSPN2 sports reporter Bob Coldeen.
“How much we make on this event, those funds will go a local charity,” Sapong said. “And if you look at our poster you could see Bob Coldeen’s name with his slogan ‘Did you get that, Bob?’ He will be the one to choose the charity as a ‘thank you’ for all he did and is doing for local sports.”
Baby Got Track’s Lily Muldoon, Dixie Mendenhall, Kate Wilson and Ali Nelson carry Michael Denevan after topping the 40th Annual Christmas Island Relay Saturday at the Last Command Post in Marpi.
Run Saipan Team A members push through the finish line of the 40th Annual Christmas Island Relay Saturday at the Last Command Post in Marpi.
