MICHAEL Denevan and Lily Muldoon topped their respective divisions in the 2nd Annual 4th of July two-mile race held Saturday at the Garapan Fishing Base.
The route took runners from the entrance of the Garapan Fishing Base and then north along the Beach Road pathwalk before returning to Garapan Fishing Base.
It was a shorter route than Run Saipan’s usual 5K monthly events, and Michael Denevan was able to clear the course with a finish time of 12 minutes flat to finish first in the men’s division and overall.
Following behind was Rex Pixley with a time of 12:04 and Sildrey Veloria in third with 12:32.
In the women’s division, Lily Muldoon came in first with a time of 12:49 followed by Andrei Kaithlyn Chavez, 13:51, and Rosemarie Chisato, 16:15.
It was the first time that Denevan had beaten Muldoon in a foot race. “I had a goal to try and keep up with him [Denevan] today,” Muldoon said. “I tried to stay close behind because that is what I do when I train, but half a mile in, I realized I was not going to be able to keep up with him.”
According to Denevan, “I guess if it’s a shorter race, I have a better chance at beating her but if it’s any longer than two miles, Lily would have got it. I was feeling good this morning and the runners were all really fast. But it was the push in the end.” He added that it was great Saipan weather to run in.
Two new traditions were added to the annual race event:
1) The best runner in a 4th of July outfit gets a six-month gym membership at Latte Built worth $330 which Rosemarie Chisato claimed for her all-American attire.
2) And then there’s the pie challenge contest. This year, Veloria had the privilege to pie Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz Jr in the face; Rex Pixley got to pie Dr. Ron Snyder in the face; and Kaithlyn Chavez got to pie Coach David Shamburger in the face.
Michael Denevan crosses the finish line of the 2nd Annual 4th of July two-mile race at the Garapan Fishing Base.
Lily Muldoon, center, poses with Rosemarie Chisato, left, and Kaithlyn Chavez after completing the 2nd Annual 4th of July two-mile race at the Garapan Fishing Base.
Dr. Ron Snyder, Coach David Shamburger and Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz Jr. pose for a photo after getting pied.
