VICTOR Nash Santos and An Bang emerged as the winners of their respective divisions in the NMI Star Wars Day Run 2025 “May the 4th Be With You” event held at American Memorial Park on Sunday.
The 5K course started at American Memorial Park, headed to Inos Peace Park where runners completed one lap, and then returned to the starting point.
Santos led the competition from start to finish, coming in first in the male division and first overall with a time of 20:01 followed by Jordan Ruiz (20:02) and Jun Kawano (21:38).
The female division was claimed by An Bang, who wore a Chewbacca mask, with a finish time of 24:42 followed by LoVel Spaeth (24:42) and Yuxi Zhang (26:02).
Many participants dressed up as their favorite iconic Star Wars characters, from Darth Vader to a droid made out of a cardboard box.
Run Saipan recognized and thanked CHCC Public Health for their continued support and sponsorship of the annual race.
“We had our Star Wars Day event in honor and support of National Adolescent Health month and part of the Mental Health Month activities. Special thanks to CHCC’s Director of Public Health Heather Pangelinan,” Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz Jr. said.
As for the turnout, Run Saipan board member Dr. Ron Snyder said, “I looked at all the paid registrations, and it was good…. CHCC sponsored 150 registrations, [and] the turnout was great. I think we’re going to have well over 200 people on the registration list.”
He added, “It’s a great partnership, and…Run Saipan and CHCC — as natural partners — will be great moving forward and maintaining that.”
Moving on
Also on Sunday, Dela Cruz announced that Snyder will be leaving Saipan for good and plans to settle in Portugal.
“I’ve had 13 years on Saipan in my life in different roles, so I’ve got a lot of connections, a lot of friends here — it’s going to be a very difficult time,” said Dr. Snyder, who is also headmaster of Saipan International School.
He plans to leave toward the end of the year, but he intends to visit the island from time to time. “I’ll…be here to make sure everything is running smooth and well [at SIS],” Snyder said.
Dela Cruz presented Snyder with the Run Saipan Excellence Service Award in recognition of his “outstanding achievement, performance, service, commitment, and contributions to Run Saipan and the running community. Thank you. We love you and we will miss you.”
“I was not expecting to get a plaque of service,” said Snyder. He said he has resigned as Run Saipan’s secretary/treasurer, but Dela Cruz wouldn’t let him step down as a board member.
Dr. Ron Snyder, center, poses with his plaque for excellence service alongside other members of Run Saipan. Snyder is leaving the island for good and moving to Portugal.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
Victor Nash Santos, 2nd left, Jordan Ruiz and Jun Kawano are the top three finishers in the male division of Run Saipan NMI Star Wars Day Run 2025 “May The 4th Be With You” event at American Memorial Park on Sunday. Also in photo: Dr. Ron Snyder, Run Saipan board member.
An Bang, wearing a Chewbacca mask, makes her way toward the finish line to claim first place in the female division of Run Saipan NMI Star Wars Day Run 2025 “May The 4th Be With You” event at American Memorial Park on Sunday.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
