(MVA) — The Marianas Visitors Authority announces the addition of Pika Run 2024 during the 20th Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival on President’s Day weekend.
“Pika” means “spicy” in the Chamorro language. The run — featuring a 5K course this year — will start at 6 a.m. on Feb. 17 at the Festival Grounds in San Jose, Tinian, and proceed along the historic World War II-era Broadway before returning to the starting point.
Registration is $10. Cash prizes will be awarded in Men and Women’s Divisions: $150 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd place, and $75 for 3rd place.
Registration can be made by emailing your name, division, and contact phone number to the MVA office in Saipan at communityprojects@mymarianas.com or calling (670) 664-3200 or by emailing the MVA Tinian office at vborja@mymarianas.com (use subject line: Pika Run).
Registration can also be made on race day from 5 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. at the start line.
“In cooperation with the Tinian Mayor’s Office, we’re super excited to add a fun run to this year’s 20th Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival,” said MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion. “It’s going to be a great way to start Day 2 of what we locals call Pika Fest — highlighting Tinian’s famous ‘pika’ or ‘spicy’ hot pepper, the donne sali. Rise and shine, lace up, and we’ll see you at the first Pika Run on Feb. 17!”
The festival will kick off on the evening of Feb. 16 and continue on Feb. 17. The event will be held at the Fiesta Grounds in San Jose, Tinian, adjacent to the picturesque Jones Beach and House of Taga, a U.S. National Historic Landmark featuring limestone monoliths carved by ancient Chamorros.
Docomo Pacific is the Exclusive Pika Sponsor of the 20th Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival.
Ferry service is available between Saipan and Tinian for the event. The ferry schedule:
• Feb. 16, departing Saipan at 8 a.m. and departing Tinian at 2 p.m.
• Feb. 17, departing Saipan at 8 a.m. and departing Tinian at 2 p.m.
• Feb. 18, departing Saipan at 8 a.m. and departing Tinian at 4 p.m.
Ferry round trip cost is $20 for ages 3-11, $50 for ages 12 and older. For one way, the cost is $15 for ages 3-11, $25 for ages 12 and older. Children ages 0-2 are free. Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult, and tickets are non-transferable.
Advanced ticket purchase is required and will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis. Ticket purchases may be made at the MVA office in Tinian or Saipan. Cash payments only will be accepted.
Hotel accommodations are nearly sold out. Accommodations on island include Tinian Ocean View, Tinian Diamond Hotel and Casino, Tinian Diamond Suites, Tinian Western Lodge Hotel, Lorilynn’s Hotel, Tinian Street Motel, Fleming Hotel, Green Lion House Hotel, Lucky Homes Hotel and the Marpo Valley Inn. Free camping is available at Jones Beach, Taga Beach (toilets, barbecue pits, and outdoor showers available) and at the adjacent Tachogna Beach (barbecue pits, outdoor showers, and toilets are available).
The Super Emerald ferry will depart from the Commonwealth Ports Authority dock in Lower Base, Saipan. Passengers must check in one hour before departure. Each paying customer is allowed one free checked bag and one additional checked bag for $20 for a combined total weight of up to 70 lbs. One household pet of up to 50 lbs. is allowed per paying customer, and thirty-five passengers will be accommodated per ferry.
Contests scheduled for the President’s Day weekend event are the Hot Pepper Eating Contest, JC Café Hot Burger Eating Contest, the Estafao Pika (spicy chicken stew) Cooking Contest, a Chacha Dance Contest where contestants are encouraged and will be judged on wearing hot pepper-themed attire, and more.
For more information, contact MVA Community Projects Specialist Ray Villagomez at rvillagomez@mymarianas.com, Tinian Field Operations supervisor Vida Borja a vborja@mymarianas.com or (670 433-9365, or the Tinian Mayor’s Office at (670) 433-1802.
