(MVA) — Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog is rolling out the red carpet with airline discounts on two charter flights from Saipan for participants in Rota Marathon 2026, slated for Jan. 31 in the Marianas. Finishers will also receive a $20 cash rebate when flying via Star Marianas.
Charter flight tickets are $100 roundtrip per person, and the flights will depart the Saipan airport commuter terminal on Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and return from Rota on Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Bookings require proof of marathon registration and may be purchased in person by visiting the Marianas Visitors Authority office on Beach Rd., I Liyan, Saipan. Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To avail themselves of the Star Marianas $20 rebate, passengers must show their marathon registration confirmation email and flight itinerary or receipt of ticket purchase when checking in to depart Saipan. Upon check-in in Rota to return, passengers must show the same documents, along with their marathon certificate of completion. For booking inquiries, email communityprojects@mymarianas.com/.
Rota Marathon 2026 is co-organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Office of the Mayor of Rota. Registration rates are $40 for the full marathon, $30 for the half marathon, and $20 for the 5K.
“Rota is always proud to welcome runners from near and far, and these charter flight incentives are our way of saying si Yu’us ma’åse’ for choosing to race with us,” said Mayor Hocog. “The Rota Marathon is more than a competition — it’s a celebration of our island’s spirit, our hospitality, and the beauty that makes Rota truly Far From Ordinary.”
Mandatory race packet pickup will be on Friday, Jan. 30, from 5-6 p.m. at Rota Roundhouse in Songsong village.
Cash prizes will be awarded for Top Overall Finishers in 1st-3rd place in Male and Female Divisions for full marathon ($400, $300, $200, respectively), half marathon ($300, $200, $100, respectively), and 5K ($200, $150, $100, respectively). Full marathon participants must be age 18 or older. Registration closes on Jan. 30, 2026.
Registrants will be treated to an awards dinner buffet outdoors at Rota Roundhouse on race day and will also receive an official Rota Marathon 2026 shirt and printed finisher’s certificate. Mandatory race packet pick-up is Jan. 30, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Rota Roundhouse in Songsong. Race briefing will be held at 6 p.m. Representatives may pick up race packets for registrants only with written authorization and a copy of the registrant’s valid photo ID.
“As we prepare for the 3rd Annual Rota Marathon we would like to invite our brothers and sisters from the neighboring islands to come and enjoy the natural beauty and scenic views that the Rota Marathon has to offer,” said MVA Field Operations Supervisor Dave Atalig. “Come have some fun and enjoy a friendly competition on the world’s friendliest island!”
This year’s marathon and half-marathon courses will have a change of course compared to last year, first head north under the stars of Rota’s dark night along the western lagoon, returning south to wind through lush, shaded roads back to the finish in Songsong. The 5K route, a favorite for its sweeping sunrise vistas, will remain along Sasanhaya Bay.
Rota is just a short flight from Saipan or Guam, with air service provided by Star Marianas and Micronesian Air Connection Services.
Accommodations are available at:
Valentino Hotel, (670) 532-8466
Coral Garden Hotel, (670) 532-3201
Light Heart Motel, (670) 285-0062, jdbepari97.jb@gmail.com
PJM Ent. B&B, (670) 532-2539/(670) 287-5635
Mowtel B&B, (670) 783-3566/(670) 285-3566
For more information, contact:
• Ed Diaz, MVA community projects coordinator – communityprojects@mymarianas.com | (670) 664-3200
• Dave Atalig, MVA Rota field operations supervisor – datalig@mymarianas.com | (670) 532-0327
Or visit www.mymarianas.com for the marathon fact sheet or to register.
