Run Saipan Trinity participants pose for a photo on Monday, Day 3 of the event, on Beach Road in Oleai.
The top three women runners — Ann Bang, Rosemarie Chisato and Terra Allen — pose with Run Saipan officials during the awards ceremony Monday on Beach Road in Oleai.
The top three men runners — Chad Taflinger, Joel Buco and Chong Nam Lee — pose with Run Saipan officials during the awards ceremony Monday on Beach Road in Oleai.
CHAD Taflinger and Ann Bang were the overall winners of the Run Saipan Trinity race after completing Day 3 of the event Monday on Beach Road in Oleai.
Although Taflinger never finished first in any of the three races, he maintained a steady pace throughout the three-day event to turn three silver medals into gold.
His Day 1 time was 00:49:02; Day Two, 00:32:49; and Day Three, 00:22:01 for a total time of 01:43:52.
In second place overall was Joel Buco with a time of 00:051:08 on Day One; 00:31:36 on Day 2; and 00:22:55 on Day 3 for a total time of 01:45:39.
Coming in third was Chong Nam Lee with a time of 00:49:43 on Day One; 00:36:56, Day 2; and 00:22:54 on Day 3 for a total time of 01:49:43.
Asked about the race, Taflinger said, “It’s really cool. It’s fun, challenging and a grueling three days.”
He added, “I kind of knew going into today, I just had to be top 2 or 3 to win the overall title. I knew where I stood and I just had to go all in. I always leave it on the course.”
For the 40-year-old runner, Day 2 — the race to Mount Tapochao — was the hardest of the three-day event. “The hills and elevation change were brutal,” he said.
Taflinger, a Marianas High School science and biology teacher, moved to the island in July 2020 with his family. Run Saipan Trinity is his first big race in the CNMI.
Women’s division
In the women’s division, Ann Bang claimed the overall title with a near-perfect performance. On Day 1, she took first place with a time of 00:54:56.She placed second on Day 2 with a time 00:37:21 and then redeemed herself on Day 3 with a first-place finish, clocking 00:24:55 for a combined time of 01:56:42.
In second place overall in the women’s division was Rosemarie Chisato. She finished second on Day 1 with a time of 00:55:14. On Day 2 she came in first with a time of 00:36:33. On Day 3, she claimed second place with a time of 00:25:50 for a total time of 01:57:37.
In third place overall in the women’s division was Terra Allen who finished third in all three races: 00:57:46 (Day 1), 00:40:21 (Day 2), and 00:27:18 (Day 3) for a total of 02:05:25.
“Trinity Run 2023 was meaningful for me because it’s my first overall win,” Bang said. “And it’s the last year of my 40s. Next year, I’ll compete in the 50-54age division,” she added.
Bang would also “like to thank all the board members and volunteers of Run Saipan, and Mr. Robin Sapong [of Northern Marianas Athletics] for their hard work and efforts. Before I became a member of Run Saipan, I always ran alone, but after becoming a member, I met new friends. I hope many more residents will run with us, and of course I’ll run next year’s Trinity!”
The next level
According to Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz Jr., “We wanted to start the year with a bang. The runners took it to the next level today. We only wanted 50 of the most daring runners of the CNMI to take part in this race. They did an amazing work to get this done. Our race staff from [Northern Marianas Athletics] and Run Saipan did an outstanding job, running three back-to-back races as facilitators, coming earlier and leaving later than the runners.”
Dela Cruz likewise commended the overall winners. “Strong work, amazing job — congratulations,” he said. “There’s no way you can tactically plan how you’re going to do each race. The only thing you can guarantee is to reach the finish line, so for them to be the fastest in the first three-day race — that’s an amazing job. Most people wake up the next morning thinking that they won’t be able to do the next run, but they did it again, and again. So good job — you guys made history!”
He added, “We’re going to try and make this the next jewel race of the Pacific.”
Run Saipan would also like to thank NMA, Saipan International School, Kensington Hotel, Marianas Visitors Authority, Saipan Tribune, KSPN2 and Marianas Variety.
