IN celebration of National Transit Month, the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority, in cooperation with Run Saipan, hosted its inaugural Roll Out 5K community run on Wednesday afternoon at Garapan Fishing Base. Victor Nash Santos and Tammy Ackerman put on dominant performances, topping their respective divisions.
The racecourse started and finished in front of Dube’s Smokehouse Tacos, with the turnaround point by the old Japanese tank at the Quartermaster intersection.
Victor Nash Santos, who recently broke the NMI 10,000 record with a time of 36:30.64, dominated the race as the overall and men’s division first-place finisher with a time of 18:34. He was followed by Jody O’Sullivan in second place (20:41) and Pony Tang in third (20:56).
In the women’s division, Tammy Ackerman reigned supreme once again, finishing first with a time of 22:40 — nearly two minutes ahead of the competition. Krista Hawley placed second at 24:34, followed by Rosemarie Chisato at 26:56.
In the 12-and-under category, Beau Bauer led the boys’ division with a time of 24:51, followed by Andreas Roberto (38:08) and Vontae Broja (39:16). The girls’ division was led by Leilani Ruszala (30:52), with Quin Bauer (37:30) and Aubrey Roberto (45:09) placing second and third, respectively.
The first-place winners in the men’s, women’s, boys’, and girls’ divisions were awarded $50 each, while the second-place winners received $25. All top three finishers took home medals.
In an interview with Variety, Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz Jr. said event came into fruition when the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority was brainstorming activities for National Transit Month in the CNMI and settled on hosting a community 5K, reaching out to Run Saipan to assist.
“Now it’s going to be an annual event every July, in addition to our 4th of July Race,” Dela Cruz said. “It’s great to see more government agencies taking proactive steps toward promoting health and wellness in the CNMI.”
Dela Cruz recognized and thanked COTA and Special Assistant for Public Transportation Alfreda Camacho Maratita for spearheading the event and partnering with Run Saipan.
His gratitude also extended to Dube’s Smokehouse Tacos, Northern Marianas Athletics, Marianas Variety, NMI News Service, Marianas Press, KKMP, CHCC, and HYC.
The participants of the inaugural Roll Out 5K, hosted by the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority and Run Saipan, pose for a photo on Wednesday afternoon at Garapan Fishing Base.
Photo by Jonathan Sugatan
Victor Nash Santos passes the turnaround point as he leads the inaugural Roll Out 5K, hosted by the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority and Run Saipan on Wednesday afternoon at Garapan Fishing Base.
Photo by Jonathan Sugatan
Tammy Ackerman makes her way toward the turnaround point as she leads the women’s division of the inaugural Roll Out 5K, hosted by the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority and Run Saipan on Wednesday afternoon at Garapan Fishing Base.
Photo by Jonathan Sugatan
The staff members of the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority pose for a group photo.
Photo by Jonathan Sugatan
