By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE spirit of healthy living and youth leadership took center stage on Saturday morning as the CNMI Youth Congress hosted its first-ever Red Ribbon 5K: Racing Toward a Nicotine-Free Future at the Garapan Fishing Base, drawing an impressive 500 participants in support of substance-free living.
Organized in partnership with the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation’s Division of Public Health, the event went beyond a typical road race. It served as a youth-led highlight of National Red Ribbon Week, empowering young voices in the fight against vaping and substance abuse.
The 5K course began and ended at the Garapan Fishing Base, with a turnaround point at the Quartermaster tank. Along the way, runners and walkers of all ages were greeted with upbeat music and color powder stations staffed by student volunteers, transforming the route into a festive display of unity and advocacy.
While the event welcomed all fitness levels, it also featured a competitive edge, with medals awarded to the Top 3 overall male and female finishers:
Overall Male Finishers
Takeru Jim (20:12)
Yutaka Kadokura (20:36)
Victor Neil Santos (20:38)
Overall Female Finishers
Dianna Zheng (24:50)
Orica George (27:47)
Genelyn Lansangan (28:11)
In the 13–18 age division, the top male finishers were Dave Odicta (22:07), Kaide Benson (22:32), and Pete Phair (22:32), while the top female finishers were Julie Chavez (30:10), Richelle Sune (30:36), and Jasmine Deleon Guerrero (30:36).
Lead coordinator Victor Nash Santos expressed pride in the overwhelming turnout.
“We aligned it with Red Ribbon Week because it’s a national campaign, and we wanted to be part of it,” he said. “We’re really trying to be supportive of the community and show that we stand for a drug-free lifestyle. Having 500 people join us exceeded all expectations.”
Santos emphasized that the event was not about superiority but solidarity.
“As Youth Congress, we stand against vaping and substance use, especially because our youth are still developing. We’re not trying to show that we’re better than others — we’re just trying to support the community.”
The CNMI Youth Congress extended its gratitude to partners and sponsors including Run Saipan, CHCC Division of Public Health, PIC Saipan, the Public School System, the Mayor’s Office, Joeten Superstore, Triple J, and the Tan Siu Lin Foundation for helping transform the vision of wellness and youth empowerment into reality.
With its high-energy turnout and heartfelt message, the event affirmed one thing: when young leaders set the pace, the entire community moves forward.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports
