Runners pose in the “finisher shirts” that will be available to those who complete the Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon and 5.5K Fun Run this Saturday.

THE Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon and 5.5K Fun Run takes place this Saturday, Dec. 10. The Half Marathon starts at 5:30 a.m. at Sugar Dock and finishes at Banzai Cliff. The 5.5K starts at 6:30 a.m. and is an out and back course, starting and finishing at Banzai Cliff.
Edward Dela Cruz Jr., president of Run Saipan, is looking forward to what will be the biggest event of the year.
“This is our inaugural Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon and 5.5K Fun Run and we anticipate this to be our largest running event of the year,” said Dela Cruz.
“All Half Marathon finishers and the first 300 to finish the 5.5K will receive dri-fit finisher shirts and a finisher medal. Both races finish at Banzai Cliff and we look forward to all the finish line festivities which will include raffles and an awards ceremony,” Dela Cruz added.
This inaugural event is presented by Atkins Kroll.
Registration
Last day to register is Friday, Dec. 9 at 11:59 p.m. and can be done through the event’s registration site on raceroster.com by searching for the Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon. Event organizers encourage interested participants to register by Wednesday, Dec. 7. Late fee will be applied on Friday.
Finisher shirts
All Half Marathon finishers will receive a Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon long sleeve dri-fit finisher shirt while the first 300 finishers in the 5.5K will receive a Run Saipan 5.5K short sleeve dri-fit finisher shirt. Both shirts feature designs celebrating this inaugural event.
Packet pickup
Packet pickup is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 7 and Thursday, Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Atkins Kroll Toyota Showroom in Oleai.
Runners will receive their race bib and timing chip. Anyone who registers for the half marathon after Dec. 8 will pick up their bib and chip at the Sugar Dock start line starting from 4 a.m. For people running the 5.5K and registering after packet pick up, they can pick up their packets from the 5.5k start line at Banzai Cliff starting at 5 a.m.
For more information about the races, contact Ron Snyder at [email protected] or call (670) 287-0891
School prize
As an additional incentive to encourage schools to participate, finishers can identify a school that they are running for. The top three schools with the most support will receive a cash donation from Hong Ye Hardware.
About Run Saipan
Run Saipan seeks to promote a healthy lifestyle in the CNMI by supporting community projects such as regular 5K races, running and nutrition workshops, sending athletic ambassadors to the schools, and working with Northern Marianas Athletics to increase the opportunities for cardiovascular health available to all residents in the Commonwealth, regardless of running ability or experience.
About Atkins Kroll Saipan
Atkins Kroll, an Inchcape company, is the leading distributor of vehicles in the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and Micronesia enabling it to provide a full range of products and services in the region. Atkins Kroll represents Toyota, Lexus, BMW, Chevrolet, Toyota Rent A Car, Avis, Budget and Payless Rental Car, and AC Delco brands. This year Atkins Kroll celebrates 55 years of service to the CNMI.


