THE Run Saipan Half Marathon delivered an exciting day of racing on Saturday morning, with Victor Nash Santos and Akiko Miller emerging as the top male and female finishers, respectively.
The half marathon kicked off early, with runners setting out from Micro Beach Road and turning around near the Pacific Islands Club Saipan. On the men’s side, Victor Nash Santos dominated the race, securing first place with an impressive time of 1:30:03 — a new unofficial course record.
He was followed by Landen Taflinger in second place at 1:40:29 and Jun Kawano in third at 1:44:44.
“This race — I thought of it more as a long run rather than a race — so I really tried to conserve my energy because I have cross country next week,” Santos said in an interview with Variety. For the young runner, the toughest part of the race was the last three miles. “It mentally challenges you. This was my first time running this course, and it was a nice course — different from the regular half marathon,” he added.
Despite competing in all Run Saipan distances, Santos said his favorite remains the 5K and 10K.
In the women’s division, veteran runner Akiko Miller took the top spot with a strong performance, crossing the finish line in 1:45:05. Krista Hawley finished second at 1:56:36, and An Bang came in third with a time of 2:08:16.
For the first time, the Run Saipan Half Marathon offered cash prizes to the top three male and female finishers. First-place winners received $100, second-place winners $75, and third-place winners $50 — a new incentive aimed at attracting competitive runners to the event.
Festive
The race was held on Labor Day weekend, creating a festive atmosphere for participants and spectators alike. Organizers highlighted the camaraderie and “fun running fellowship” that has become a hallmark of the event. All participants received a finisher medal and an event T-shirt, while top finishers were also awarded championship medals.
This year, the 5K race was upgraded to a 10K fun run, providing a longer-distance option for those not ready for the half marathon. While the 10K was a “fun run” with no cash prizes, it still offered a great opportunity for community engagement and personal fitness. The event concluded with a post-race celebration, providing a fitting end to a successful day of running.
The 10K top finishers and the half marathon age division results will be released in the next edition of Variety.
Run Saipan would like to thank and recognize the Department of Public Safety, Pacific Islands Club, Saipan International School, Saipan Southern High School, Marianas High School National Honor Society, Northern Marianas Athletics, The Water Company, Saipan Community Church, Church of the Nazarene, Cha Café, NMI News Service, Marianas Press, DC PRO Rentals, KKMP, and Marianas Variety.
The top three women’s division finishers — Krista Hawley, Akiko Miller and An Bang — pose for a photo after completing the Run Saipan Half Marathon 2025 on Saturday morning.
The top three men’s division finishers are Landen Taflinger, Victor Nash Santos, and Jun Kawano.
Akiko Miller celebrates as she nears the finish line of the Run Saipan Half Marathon 2025 on Micro Beach Road.
