RUN Saipan’s 3rd Annual Grotto 10K ‘24 featured a mix of young and experienced runners such as 15-year-old Jireh Wang and 54-year-old Akiko Miller, who finished first in their respective divisions on Saturday morning.
The course included a series of uphill and downhill areas that stretched from the Grotto to the Bird Island Lookout point and the turnaround just past the Kalabera Cave and back for a total distance of 10K.
Throughout the race, Jireh Wang fought for the lead against seasoned runners and pulled through down the stretch to clinch first place overall in the male division, clocking 00:42:07.
Following closely behind were elite runners Jody O’Sullivan and Chad Taflinger. O’Sullivan settled for second place with a time of 00:43:46 while Taflinger claimed third with 00:46:07.
Female division
In the female division, veteran runner Akiko Miller finished first and fourth overall with a time of 00:46:37 followed by Ann Bang with 00:56:11 and Shawna Brennfleck with 00:57:23.
Other divisions
In the open male division, Jordan Ruiz finished first with a time of 0:47:17 followed by Philip Santos with 0:55:32 and Dominique Keiffler with 0:59:37. In the open female division, Jove Taman came out on top with a time of 1:17:31 while Angelina Philips placed second with 1:30:13 and Tanya Timbas was third with 1:41:06.
For the 35-39 female age group, Kerri Bauer led with a time of 1:02:33 while Samantha Pua took second place with 1:29:57. Coming in third was Lucinda Johnson with 1:30:13.
In the 40-44 male age group, Travis Spaeth finished first with a time of 0:59:50 while Toby Watson placed second with 1:20:54.
In the female division, Sheila Isla claimed first place with a time of 1:05:26 followed by Ali Nelson with 1:07:45 and Robyn Spaeth with 1:09:24.
In the 45-49 male age group, Paul Manglona came out on top with a time of 0:59:52 with Jess Gariguez in second place with 1:18:35 and Steve McKagan in third with 1:19:37 while Rosemarie Chisato led the female division with a time of 1:00:52 followed by Qiuxiang Chen with 1:23:53 and Lorraine Ada with 1:37:45.
In the 50-54 male age group, Chong Jun Gao clinched first place with a time of 0:51:21, beating James Abuy who clocked 0:54:22 and Raymund Tolentino with 0:57:12. In the female division, Kimiko McKagan led the group with a time of 1:07:46 followed by Mei Hua Jin with 1:10:15, and Rebecca Wiggins with 1:18:57.
Jin Zi Wen also joined the podium finish as the first-place winner in the 55-59 female age group with a time of 1:06:40 while Guijie Sun Kilileman settled for second with 1:29:45 and Zhenyu Quan came in third with 1:17:34 while Marie Sablan was the solo victor in the 60-64 female age group with a time of 1:21:54.
In the 65 and over male age group, Chong Nam Lee finished first with a time of 0:53:58 followed by Paul Khang with 1:04:40 and Changhwan Jang with 1:23:52 while in the female division, Jennifer Retsinas claimed first place with a time of 1:11:56 and Juanita Fajardo finished second with 1:45:34.
Run Saipan recognizes and thanks sponsors AP Group and IT&E CNMI as well as AP Energy, AP Solutions, Dreamplay, Tapped, Napu Brewing, NF-Xpress and Parks and Recreations Director Michael Cruz.
Akiko Miller poses for a photo after finishing first overall in the female division of Run Saipan’s 3rd Annual Grotto 10K ‘24 at the Grotto on Saturday morning.
Participants of Run Saipan’s 3rd Annual Grotto 10K ’24 pose for a photo at the Grotto on the Saturday morning.
More photos from the age group awarding presentation of Run Saipan’s 3rd Annual Grotto 10K ‘24 at the Oleai Sports Complex on Tuesday, June 4.
