TWO of Agape Christian School’s teams topped the open and youth divisions of Northern Marianas Athletics’ 43rd Annual Christmas Island Relay 2024 in the Marianas Beach Resort/Micro Beach area on Saturday morning.
In the new solo category, Dr. Lily Muldoon finished first overall.
Agape Team 1 easily defended their open division title with a time of 1:14:50.
After the race, team captain Jireh Wang said this year’s event proved more challenging than last year. “Last year we were dominant but this year we felt pressured,” Wang said. “But this year I feel like we have done very well because two of our team members are actually sick.”
All the participating teams fought for the lead throughout the race but, thanks to its fourth runner, Agape Team 1 managed to gain the distance and finish strong.
In second place was Team Santa 2024 with a time of 1:16:54 followed by Agape Team 2 at 1:25:21.
Youth division
Agape’s younger runners also reigned supreme, winning the youth division title with a finish time of 1:21:43. The Snow Leopards came in second at 1:45:03.
The 13.7km half-marathon course stretched from the Micro Beach area to the turning point past the former Mariana Resort & Spa and back.
Solo category
This year, NMA gave enthusiasts eager for more than a mile run the chance to join the race in the new solo category.
Lily Muldoon, an emergency department physician at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation and a public health consultant, decided to take on the solo challenge this year and finished first overall. She also set a new course record with a time of 1:42.10.
In second place in the women’s division was Heather Brooke at 1:50.27 followed by Ann Bang at 2:11.02.
In the men’s division, Jordan Ruiz claimed gold with a time of 1:42.48 while Philip Santos settled for silver at 2:03.59. Coming in third was James Abuy, who clocked at 2:04.12.
“I’ve had the privilege of calling Saipan my running home since 2019,” Muldoon said. “This race is particularly close to my heart because of the wonderful community spirit and the incredible range of participants — young and old — who come out to celebrate fitness and camaraderie,” she added.
Muldoon has competed in several relay races over the years, including as a member of the team “Baby Got Track,” which took first place in 2022.
“This year, I decided to take on the solo half-marathon as part of my training, and I’ll admit — it’s even more fun to cover more miles!” she added.
After spending the last 10 months working in California, Muldoon shared how it feels to be back in her favorite place in the world.
“Running through Saipan’s beautiful roads at sunrise, with the stunning backdrop of Suicide Cliff, reminded me why this island holds such a special place in my heart,” she said, “This morning, I was deeply inspired by the strength and determination of the female runners on the course, especially the incredible girls from Agape. After the turnaround, seeing them relay fueled my motivation. I wanted to show them — and all women — that we can rise to any challenge, and we can win.”
For the first 10 miles, Muldoon and Ruiz ran alongside each other in a steady and strong pace. As the race progressed, Muldoon decided to push harder, eventually gaining the distance to secure overall first-place.
Fun run
Ruiz, also known as “Jordan Paradise,” said he decided to take on the solo category because he wanted to get more than a mile in.
“It was fun. I got to run with Lily, we were neck and neck the whole time, and then toward the end my legs gave in and, yeah — that’s all she wrote,” Ruiz said.
According to NMA, the 43rd Annual Christmas Island Relay is the longest running event held in the CNMI.
Agape Team 1 members celebrate as they cross the finish line in the open division of Northern Marianas Athletics’ 43rd Annual Christmas Island Relay 2024 in the Marianas Beach Resort/Micro Beach area on Saturday morning.
Lily Muldoon rules the solo category of Northern Marianas Athletics’ 43rd Annual Christmas Island Relay 2024 in the Marianas Beach Resort/Micro Beach area on Saturday morning.
Jordan Ruiz smiles as he finishes first in the men’s solo category of Northern Marianas Athletics’ 43rd Annual Christmas Island Relay 2024 in the Marianas Beach Resort/Micro Beach area on Saturday morning.
