Participants of the 3rd Annual Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library 5K Fun Run/Walk pose for a photo before the start of the race at the Garapan Fishing Base on Saturday.
Jordan Ruiz smiles as he finishes first overall in the men’s division of the 3rd Annual Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library 5K Fun Run/Walk at the Garapan Fishing Base on Saturday.
Ann Bang pushes through the finish line in the women’s division of the 3rd Annual Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library 5K Fun Run/Walk at the Garapan Fishing Base on Saturday.
Alexandra Birnbirch is dressed as a Koopa Troopa/Gecko Boy
JORDAN Ruiz and Ann Bang finished first in their respective divisions of the 3rd Annual Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library 5K Fun Run/Walk at the Garapan Fishing Base on Saturday.
The race, which was part of the School Library Month and National Library Week celebration and co-organized by Run Saipan, took participants from the Garapan Fishing Base to the turnaround point on Quartermaster Road and back with Jordan Ruiz clocking 18:38 to finish first overall.
“The run was exhausting as usual — going all out on a 5K,” he said. “But it was a lot easier with a lot of the [usual] runners not here today, so it ended up in my favor,” Ruiz added, smiling. The Saipan Community School teacher and rapper believes that “knowledge is the key,” and that is why the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library is important to the community.
Coming in second in the men’s division was Shigeki Tenorio with a time of 21:01 followed by Chongnam Lee at 22:07.
In the women’s division, Ann Bang claimed the title with a time of 22:52. For her, it was not as fun as her best friends did not join the race. However, she is in full support of JKPL, which her daughters patronize on a daily basis.
In second place was Andrea Tagum with a time of 38:06 followed by Audrey Tagum at 39:02.
Other winners
In the U12 boys division, Frank Palacios came in first with a time of 39:47 followed by Ezekiel Lizama at 55:35, and Tristan Randili at 01:01:01.
The U12 girls division was led by Sua Jang with a time of 41:00. Dana Jang cane in second at 41:00 while Alexandra Birnbirch finished third at 45:12.
A costume contest was also held, and it was won by Birnbirch, who dressed up as Koopa Troopa/Gecko Boy. She received 27 votes from the registered participants.
“To all the runners who are out here to support the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, we are grateful and humbled by your support,” JKPL Director Elinda Naputi said.
“All of the funds raised today will go to the 2024 Summer Reading Program. We can’t thank you guys enough for all the hard work you guys did,” she added.
