“We are pleased with the growth of the marathon this year and have already surpassed the number of registrants we had last year,” said MVA Community Projects Manager Martin Duenas.
“We are planning for at least 800 total registrants and encourage everyone to take advantage of the early bird registration deadline on Feb. 10.” he added.
INTERNATIONAL publicity of the 6th Saipan Marathon on March 5, 2011, is steadily growing as Japan’s Yomiuri Television will capture a pre-event program this month. In other news approximately 750 runners have already registered for the Marathon.
Popular Japanese comedian and event participant Kanpei Hazama was on Saipan last week to film a 54-minute preliminary inspection of the island and the marathon course. The show will air this Saturday, February 19th, 2011, to an estimated 2-million viewers in Japan and it will bring the Northern Marianas nearly $9.7 million in ad exposure.
“The publicity wheel has been steadily gaining speed through our outreach work in Japan over the last several months,” said MVA Marketing Manager Bruce Bateman.
“By far, the sixth staging of the Saipan Marathon is going to have the largest ad exposure impact yet for the Northern Marianas.” he added.
The “Kanpei Hazama Earth Marathon” project ties the marathon to both Hazama and the prestigious Earth Marathon series based in Japan.
Several other celebrities will be joining Hazama in the race, and several companies that sponsor the Earth Marathon have also stepped forward to sponsor this year’s Saipan Marathon. Overall, four television stations and three publications will be on Saipan to cover the race.
Awards are up for grabs for the first through sixth place finishers for both males and females in all three races. Awards will also be given in eight age divisions for the top male and female in the 14 & under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and up categories as well.
The Saipan Marathon will feature a full marathon (26.2 mi./42.195km), a half marathon (13.1 mi./21.1km) and a 10K (6.2 miles).
Orientation and race packet pickup are mandatory and will be held on March 4, 2010, at American Memorial Park. Japanese orientation will be at 4 p.m. and English orientation at 4:30 p.m.
Start time on race day will be 4:30 a.m. for the marathon, 5:45 a.m. for the half-marathon, and 6 a.m. for the 10K. The course will commence and end at American Memorial Park. For more information, visit the MVA website at www.mymarianas.com, or contact Ed Diaz of the MVA at 1.670.664.3200/01 or [email protected].
