(Garapan, Saipan) Run Saipan announced that it has teamed up with Atkins Kroll Saipan to launch the inaugural Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon event scheduled for Dec. 10, 2022. AK Saipan has signed on as the event’s sole and presenting sponsor to commemorate the company’s 55h Anniversary in the Marianas.
The Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon is a point-to-point 21K race from Sugar Dock to Banzai Cliff in Saipan.
Run Saipan, a nonprofit running organization established in August 2021, began conceptualizing the event last year and has solidified plans for the Saipan Half Marathon to become an annual sports tourism event to attract runners and visitors from Asia, Micronesia, and beyond.
Edward Dela Cruz, Jr., president of Run Saipan, said, “We at Run Saipan are excited to partner with AK to bring a new staple running event to the Marianas. The goal isn’t to take away from the Saipan marathon but compliment it. It’s spaced almost half a year away to give runners a choice between the full and the half in the spring. One of our overall goals is to give people as many chances and incentives to come out and be active through the sport of athletics. We are beyond happy that AK can join us and help us with our mission and goals. This holiday half marathon is basically the Super Bowl culmination of all our races throughout the year.”
Run Saipan also announced details about the Half Marathon race course, which will start at Sugar Dock, go past the AK Saipan dealership where AK will host hydration and nourishment stations, and end at Banzai Cliff. The event will also incorporate a commemorative 5.5K Fun Run in honor of AK’s 55-year legacy serving the people of the Marianas. AK will host two stations, one for each race, and a cheering station.
AK President Alex Yap stated, “AK Saipan is fully engaged to help bring the quality of our brands into this inaugural event. The 5.5K Fun Run will be an extra special event for us, and we invite our customers from the region to join us and support this wonderful event that Run Saipan has developed to grow the sport and bring visitors to the islands.”
The Saipan Half Marathon and 5.5K Walk Run will be the main draw to the event, and organizers noted that they have scheduled packet pick-up for Wednesday, December 7 at the Atkins Kroll Toyota Showroom. On race day, the festivities will begin at 6:30am for the Half Marathon and 6:30am for the 5.5K Fun Run. After the race, runners will be treated to refreshments, live entertainment, raffle drawings, and an awards ceremony.
All finishers will receive their medals when they cross the finish line. Half Marathon participants will receive a finisher’s t-shirt, and the first 300 finishers of the 5.5K Fun Run will receive a t-shirt. Champion medals will be awarded to the top three male and female in each Half Marathon race division and to the top male and female finisher in the 5.5K Fun Run.
HOW TO REGISTER
Early Bird registration is available now through Race Roster, the event’s registration site, by searching for the Run Saipan Holiday Half Marathon. Early Bird fees of $25 for the Half Marathon and $15 for the 5K Fun Run will be available through Nov. 19. Interested runners are encouraged to take advantage of the savings today.
Dela Cruz added, “Our event will be the first to work with ONETIME Australia on the timing for the event, and we will be utilizing their new chip design that loops through the runners’ laces.”
Both races will be fully sanctioned competitive races by Northern Marianas Athletics, an Official Member of World Athletics the regulatory body of track and field.
Run Saipan thanks the event’s supporters Northern Marianas Athletics, Saipan International School, and Marianas Visitors Authority. The community is invited to attend the races and cheer on runners.
For more information about the races, please contact Ron Snyder at [email protected].
