CHAD Taflinger and Ann Bang ruled Saipan International School and Run Saipan’s 3rd annual Star Wars Day run — dubbed “Revenge of the Sixth” — on Saturday.
The 6K race started at Micro Beach and then headed to Inos Peace Park and back.
Taflinger was not dressed as a Star Wars character, but he still showed that the force was strong by finishing first with a time of 26:55.
Coming in second in the men’s division was his son, Landon, who clocked 29:15, while barefoot runner Chong Nam Lee came in third at 29:39.
The Taflingers said they were not the biggest fans of Star Wars, but they support Run Saipan and other local running events.
“It’s fun and it’s a different course than we usually run with a little bit of grass and uphill then downhill, but the different scenery made it enjoyable. Dr. Ron [Snyder] and SIS did a good job putting it on,” Chad Taflinger said.
In the women’s division, Bang, who dressed up as Darth Vader, finished first with a time of 30:51 while Terra Allen followed in second place with a time of 31:35 and Shawna Brennfleck came in third at 32:33.
Despite the afternoon heat, Bang powered through in her costume. “While I was running, I felt dizzy and I kept thinking, I’m not going to run under the sun again. It was really hard and tough.”
The event also featured a Jedi 5K and the Padawan 1 Miler for children 12 and under.
The annual event usually brings in a large group of Star Wars fans, but this year it coincided with the semifinals of the youth soccer, and only around 60 participants registered.
As for the top three winners in the costume contest, they were Simon Necesito dressed as Obi Wan Kenobi; Theodore Rodgers dressed up as a Mandalorian; and Bang as Darth Vader.
In the children’s costume contest, the winners were Catalina Frink as Princess Leia, Jace Brennfleck as Darth Vader, and Brayden Brennfleck as Yoda.
They all received gift certificates from Regal Saipan.
Ann Bang, dressed as Darth Vader, finishes first in the women’s division of the SIS & Run Saipan’s 3rd Annual Star Wars Day run Saturday at Micro Beach.
Young participants dressed as Star Wars characters with Jedi master and run organizer Dr. Ron Snyder.
Chad Taflinger finishes first in the men’s division of the SIS & Run Saipan’s 3rd Annual Star Wars Day run Saturday at Micro Beach.
Participants of SIS & Run Saipan’s 3rd Annual Star Wars Day run take off at the starting point.
