LILY Muldoon and Sildrey Veloria topped their respective divisions in the inaugural Run Saipan Grotto 10K on Saturday morning in Marpi.
In the women’s division, Muldoon and 94 other runners took on the 6.2-mile road race which stretched from the Grotto to Bird Island and past Kalabera Cave for the turnaround before returning to the Grotto for the finish. Muldoon clocked 00:44:57 and was first overall.
In second place in the women’s division was Dixie Mendenhall with a time of 00:47:56 followed by Tiana Cabrera in third with a time of 00:50:47.
“This is one of the more fun races that I have done,” Muldoon said. “It’s nice to be in Marpi and off Beach Road and run on the most beautiful parts of Saipan. Another reason it was special was running with Mike [Mancao] and Sildrey [Veloria]. We had an amazing connection and I think I ran faster than I would have otherwise.”
She noted that Mancao broke away and led the pack early during the race but she eventually regained the lead toward the end during the downhill slope. “I was glad that we had a 10K — I thought the 5K was too short,” she added.
In the men’s division, Sildrey Veloria’s hard work finally paid off as he shadowed Muldoon in the final stretch of the race to finish first in his division and second overall with a time of 00:45:05.
Michael Mancao, who is known as a short-distance runner, had a very strong start as he took the lead toward Bird Island and back, but lost his position and ended in second place in the men’s division with a time of 00:45:17 followed by Agape Christian School student David Zhao in third at 00:48:19.
“Honestly, I thought it was going to be hard,” Veloria said. “I used to struggle a lot going up the hill but all the training before the race paid off. I wasn’t really alone, Lily kind of paced me. We motivated each other and high-fived runners as we passed the turnaround — I don’t know how but they give you more energy.”
Run Saipan would like to recognize the following for their help and support: Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Latte Built, Marpac, Northern Marianas Athletics, Northern Marianas College, Saipan International School, TRAC, Marianas High School JROTC, Max Aguon, Division of Parks and Recreation, Department of Public Safety, Department of Fire Emergency Medical Services, Saipan Tribune, Marianas Variety, KSPN News, and DTE Endurance.
Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz Jr. and Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Ron Snyder pose for a photo with the top three female runners Dixie Mendenhall, Lily Muldoon and Tiana Cabrera during the Grotto 10K award ceremony on Saturday at the Grotto.
Run Saipan Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz Jr and Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Ron Snyder pose for a photo with the top three male runners Michael Mancao, Sildrey Veloria and David Zhao during the Grotto 10K award ceremony on Saturday at the Grotto.
Lily Muldoon was the first to cross the finish line of Run Saipan’s Grotto 10K event Saturday at the Grotto.
