2026 Saipan Marathon: Nakajimas did it again

It was a far from ordinary Saturday (Mar. 7) morning in Saipan with forecasts of heavy rain and flood warnings, but the skies showed some mercy over the close to 800 participants from all over the world that participated in the 2026 Skechers Saipan Marathon. However, Japan’s running couple—Hiroki Nakajima and Tomomi Nakajima did not as they crushed this year’s annual Skechers Saipan Marathon full marathon course.

In the rain-again, off-again morning, Hiroki braved the slippery and wet, but cool 26.2 miles/42.195K course that spanned from the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan to the north towards Marpi, to the south past Pacific Islands Club, and back to Garapan with the fastest time of 2:45:53. Second went to Hiroki Kai at 2:55:07, while third was Taekwon Kim with 2:59:31.

In the women’s division, his wife Tomomi grabbed the top spot again as well with a time of 3:17:16. Second went to Ishikawa Emari with a time of 3:49:27, with third place going to Jung Yejin at 3:50:38.

Hiroki said of the course this year, “The course was very tough—strong wind so it felt very tough but we came back again and became champion[s] again, so we’re very happy.”

This year though, he said they had a slower time compared to last, but they hope to make their way back again next year to make it a three-peat.

The annual event also featured the half-marathon, 10K, and 5K.

The half-marathon first place overall was Japan’s Shohei Miyamoto with a time of 1:19:14. NMI’s Jody O’Sullivan came in second at 1:29:38, while Kim Dong-Hwan rounded out the top three with 1:34:36.

In the women’s division, NMI’s Dr. Lily Muldoon took first place with a time of 1:34:39, followed by Kim Bo-Eun at 1:47:17 in second, and Kristy Bryson in third at 1:49:03.

Muldoon, for her part, said that she doesn’t sleep well before a race, but a friend she met at the start line helped pace her through it, and she ended up running the fastest half marathon she’s ever ran in her life.

Ahn Euntae finished first in the men’s 10K with a time of 34:56. Genta Saito placed second with 36:48, while Ahn Younghwan secured third place at 37:45. In the women’s race, Lee Yun-Ji led the division with a time of 44:12. Park Minkyoung finished second at 47:23, and Baek Gi-Yoon claimed third with 50:30.

NMI’s Victor Nash Santos claimed the men’s 5K title after finishing in 18:09. Bok Gwon-Il placed second at 22:09, while Zhaodian Gao finished third at 24:11. In the women’s division, NMI women, including Nathania Tan took first place with a time of 18:31, followed by Kaithlyn Chavez in second at 21:42, and Tammy Ackerman in third at 22:55.

Jennifer Tan, owner/representative of Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan and representative of main sponsor Skechers said, “I think Saipan is perfect for sports tourism. I think this year, running along the ocean—I just ran the 10K myself and I thought it was a beautiful run despite a little bit [of] rain, it was perfect weather and perfect setting. I’m very proud of the turnout this year, I think we had close to 800 sign ups or we went over it and I hope to work with MVA to increase this number every year to make this a great event for the community and for the international tourists as well.”

The main sponsor is Skechers with additional sponsors Coca-Cola/Powerade (Platinum), and Gold Sponsors United Airlines, Enterprise Rent-a-car, and Gold’s Gym Saipan.