(MVA) — From a pool of 612 registrants from 19 countries and territories, new records were set for The Marianas in several categories at Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on Saturday, March 8.
The Marianas hosted runners from Australia, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Aradia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdon, and the U.S. for the event.
In the full marathon, husband and wife duo Hiroki Nakajima (2:29:25) and Tomomi Nakajima (3:08:31) of Japan set new records for the marathon in the Male and Female Divisions, respectively. Second place in the Men’s Division went to Kaneyama Yuki (2:40:24) and in 3rd place was Miyamoto Shohei (2:44:13), both also from Japan. In the Women’s Division, in 2nd place was Kim Yun Jin (3:33:18) of South Korea and in 3rd was Heather Brook (3:37:36) of the U.S.
For the half marathon, Jody O’Sullivan (1:25:54) of Ireland breezed through to 1st place in the Men’s Division, followed by Lee Sang-Gun (1:34:33) of South Korea and Landen Taflinger (1:37:22) of the U.S. Topping the Women’s Division was Noriko Jim (1:45:11) of The Marianas, followed by Kwak Hoonjoo (1:52:18) of South Korea and Fushiki Reiko (1:53:26) of Japan.
On the 10K course, Saito Genta (0:36:16) of Japan was followed in the Men’s Division by two youth, Victor Nash Santos (0:37:09) of The Marianas and Eldon Egbert (0:39:12) of the U.S., respectively. Leading the Women’s Division was Akiko Miller (0:44:09) in 1st place, followed by Lydia Ha-eum Ro (0:44:34) and Kim Yang Hee (0:45:11), both of South Korea.
The 5K Men’s Division was topped by a trio of Marianas’ teenagers: Takeru Jim (0:18:43) in 1st, Michael Miller (0:18:50) in 2nd, and Rex Pixley (0:19:35) in 3rd. In the Women’s Division, Suzuki Konomi (0:24:41) of Japan made the lone adult showing in 1st place, followed by teenage siblings Paylor Egbert (0:25:06) and Cambrie Egbert (0:25:15) in 2nd and 3rd place.
“It was a tremendous pleasure to welcome runners from all over the world to join our local community for Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025. Congratulations to all the participants and most especially our winners and our amazing new record-holders!” said Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Jamika Taijeron. “We couldn’t have done it without all our generous sponsors, government partners, and volunteers — many who were ready at 3 or 4 a.m. to help. It’s been a great show of The Marianas coming together to welcome the world and showcase what makes our islands a beautiful sports destination.”
An annual signature event of the MVA organized in partnership with Northern Marianas Athletics, Saipan Marathon is a certified measured course by World Athletics in cooperation with AIMS or Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. The event is sanctioned under NMA rules and regulations.
In addition to Exclusive Title Sponsor Skechers, Platinum Sponsor was Coca-Cola/Powerade/Subway/Foremost; Gold Sponsors were Bridge Capital, United Airlines, and Ideal Signs; and Silver Sponsor is Enterprise Rent-A-Car. In-kind contributors were Dave Electronics and All-star Sporting Goods/Boarderline/The Athlete’s Foot.
Supporting agencies were American Memorial Park, CNMI Department of Public Safety, CNMI Department of Fire & Emergency Medical Services, CNMI Department of Public Works, CNMI Division of Parks & Recreation, Saipan Mayor’s Office, and CNMI Division of Customs and Biosecurity.
The marathon also featured its first ever festival at the start/finish line after with race with awards, food and drink booths, Skechers Photo Zone, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and more. Winning the Wacky Awards were Shinozuka Naoki and Kyla Dayrit for Best Costume, Jennifer Tan for Most Awesome Shoes, Jose Aguilar for Ugliest Shoes, Narui Yoshihiro for Shortest Shorts, and Zhu Xudong for Craziest Hair.
Aid stations were provided by Rep. Joel Camacho, Marianas Beach Resort, Bridge Capital, Enterprises Rent-A-Car, Saipan World Resort, Pacific Islands Club, Atkins Kroll Toyota, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Aqua Resort Club Saipan, Kensington Hotel Saipan, Northern Marianas Athletics, Marianas Health Services, and ASC Trust.
For more information on Saipan Marathon or The Marianas, visit www.mymarianas.com/.
Over 600 runners from 19 countries and territories signed up to join Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025, in The Marianas.
Full marathoner Kelin Fulkerson-Smith of the U.S. joins over 600 runners from 19 countries and territories in Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025. The race is an annual signature event of the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Peter Friis of Germany approaches the turnaround point for the full marathon of Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025.
Peter Maier of Germany joins over 600 runners from 19 countries and territories in Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025.
Jody O’Sullivan celebrates his 1st place finish in the half marathon of Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025.
Parvaneh Moayedi of the U.S. wears a smile from start to finish while taking on the full marathon of Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025.
Thomas Godlewsky of Germany, left, and other runners pass through scenic Marpi during Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025.
From left, teenagers Zhu Ruishi, Zhang Panpan, and Wu Saiwen in action during Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025.
Lichu Sloan of the U.S. joins over 600 runners from 19 countries and territories in Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025.
Kaneko Yuya of Japan passes street art in the village of San Roque during Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025.
A volunteer offers refreshment to Yvonne Dubois of the U.S. at the full marathon turnaround point of Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025.
Shin Taesik of South Korea joins over 600 runners from 19 countries and territories in Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025.
Wojciech Machnik of the U.S., right, and a fellow marathoner pause for a commemorative photo during Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025. The pair are part of a larger group of runners from Europe who run marathons around the world.
Ali Nelson, right, of the U.S. and a fellow marathoner smile during Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025.
Honorary Marianas Tourism Ambassador for sports and South Korea actress UIE, center, celebrates her full marathon finish at Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 on March 8, 2025. From left, Marianas Visitors Authority Deputy Managing Director Judy C. Torres, UIE, and MVA Marketing Manager Thomas Kim.
Indigenous Carolinian dancers of The Marianas Experience perform at Skechers Saipan Marathon 2025 festival on March 8, 2025.
