NASH Santos and Addalee Taflinger finished first in their respective divisions at Run Saipan’s 2025 Mangrove 5K, held Saturday morning on the new Route 36 course.
Run Saipan’s new course started at San Juan Beach, heading toward the Y-intersection between Kalabera Road and Matuis before reaching the turnaround point. After running back past San Juan and up Windward Road, runners made their way toward Kingfisher before descending to complete the course.
Santos, who topped the male division, finished first overall with a time of 18:33, followed by Landen Taflinger in second place at 20:16 and Chad Taflinger in third at 24:17.
In the women’s division, Addalee Taflinger reigned supreme with a time of 27:17, followed by Catherine Pan in second place at 27:19 and Yuxi Zhang in third at 28:23.
In the youth category, Victor Neil Santos and Jian Chun ruled student male and female divisions.
Victor Neil Santos finished first in the male division with a time of 24:19, followed by Ernest Licop at 43:39 and Roonie Gil/Jihun Park at 49:21.
Jian Chun was the top female runner with a time of 28:54, followed by Kaylen Taflinger at 29:35 and Tae Hee Kim at 40:15.
“Thank you to Department of Public Safety, CHCC, Marianas Variety, Northern Marianas Athletics, Marianas High School National Honor Society, Run Saipan Officials, and photographer Jonathan Sugutan. Thank you, most importantly, to the runners — we do this all for you, the running community,” said Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz Jr. “Congratulations to Nash Santos and Addalee Taflinger for setting the records for the new course. I don’t think anyone will be breaking these records for a while. It’s all rolling hills for this course.”
As for the new course, Dela Cruz said he is “really happy” with it.
“Runners have been saying they are tired of the same flat out and back course so we’re introducing double dog leg all incline courses now,” he added.
The participants of Run Saipan’s Mangrove 5K pose for a group photo Saturday morning on Route 36.
Contributed photo
Nash Santos smiles as he reaches the final leg of Run Saipan’s Mangrove 5K Saturday morning on Route 36.
Addalee Taflinger completes a turn during Run Saipan’s Mangrove 5K race Saturday morning on Route 36.
Contributed photo
