Fujio led a pack of 26 runners in the grueling course which began at American Memorial Park at Micro Beach, ran a meandering course along Mt. Tapochau to its peak at 1500 feet above sea level, and traversed the spine of Wireless Ridge and back up part of Mt. Tapochau before returning to the park. The first female finisher in the long course was Mamiko Berger of Saipan in 3:39:59.
“30K is one thing on a smooth roadway, but it’s a totally different challenge running up this kind of elevation and through the jungle. Everyone who finished was a winner in my book,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects Manager Martin Duenas.
The event was sponsored by the MVA, Marianas Coffee Co., KFC Triathlon Japan, TEAM PDI, and Northern Mariana Athletics.
Rounding out the top male finishers on the long course were Cesar Danao of Saipan in second place at 3:28:47 and Michael Towle of Saipan in third place at 3:32:19. In second place for the women was Rebecca Read at 4:09:27, while finishing third was Natasha Kuckuck at 4:16:07.
Another 28 runners joined the 10K course, which was topped by Saipan’s Jack Kabriel in the male division at 1:00:26 and Japan’s Anake Imaya in the female division at 1:20:55. In the male division, Joe Taitano of Guam finished second at 1:06:27 and Austin Kosam of Saipan finished third at 1:09:45. Rounding out the top female finishers were Amanda Kloeppel of USA at 1:23:00 in second place and Wanda Aldrich of Japan in 1:26:28.
MVA extended the course this year to help raise the trail run to an international level of competition. The course took runners though wild coffee plantations planted in the Japanese-colonial era, and well as the young coffee groves of Marianas Coffee Co.
“We were happy to see strong participation from our local runners, and hope to generate more off-island participation next year,” said Duenas.
MVA also thanked the event supporters: Marianas Pacific Paddlers, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Saipan Sea Ventures, Saipan Grand Hotel, Fiesta Resort and Spa, Aqua Resort Club, Triple J Super Fresh, Saipan World Resort, Dept. of Public Safety, Dept. of Public Lands, Jesus Attao, Frank Camacho, Turkey Farm, Kenji Onuma, the Lizama and Diaz families, Red Cross Northern Mariana Islands Chapter, and all volunteers.
Awards were given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in the male and female divisions, and winners of the age divisions received medals.
