San Diego Visitor and a Marathoner Take Overall Gold in Triple J 5k Bubble Run Color

Ryan Humphrey and 42-year-old marathoner Alyona Gersonde emerged as the overall male and female champions of the Annual Triple J 5K Bubble Color Run on September 12, conquering a bright, foam-filled course at Fishing Base.

​Humphrey from San Diego, a 23-year-old visiting the island on a short work assignment, surged across the finish line with a blistering time of 19:34. Jumping into the race on a whim, he found himself completely swept up in the morning energy. "I've only been here a week, and I'm actually working here for a few weeks, so I figured since I was in the area, I'd check out the 5K," Humphrey shared. Though he admitted that "the humidity here (Saipan) was the hardest part," the kaleidoscopic course was a wildly fun introduction to the local culture. "The atmosphere is great. I love all the energy and the colors and everything, and it was just a good time overall."

​Gersonde, who embraced long-distance running at age 35, secured the overall female victory by crossing the finish line in 25:21. Entering the 5K with a sharp competitive edge, she playfully admitted she fully expected to take the top prize. "Absolutely," she laughed when asked if she anticipated the win. "[There are] no Japanese ladies participating today, so I had a chance." Trading her grueling endurance routes for a morning of bright bubbles, she relished the joyful, chaotic contrast to her usual strict race environments. When asked how this event compared to her standard marathons, Gersonde summed it up perfectly - "Oh, that's fun. Fun, colorful, and enjoyable."

​Their victories were just one piece of a massive community celebration. Far more than a typical weekend race, the morning served as a jubilant testament to island resilience. Triple J Senior Vice President Mike Sablan highlighted the incredible community effort powering the course, which was backed by over 300 volunteers and 45 local sponsors. "We've gone through a very difficult year, but we have proven before, and we'll prove it again, we will get back on our feet," Sablan told the cheering crowd. "This is a day to celebrate and have fun and a lot of bubbles and colors!" He concluded his remarks with a rallying cry of, "Marianas strong, Biba!"

​The post-race festivities quickly transformed the finish line into a massive block party. Triple J President and CEO Jeff Jones took the stage to command an action-packed raffle, though his own family was already celebrating after his wife, Jane, proudly secured her first-place finish in her division. Anticipation spiked as the major prizes were drawn - Agnes Rivera claimed the highly coveted United Airlines round-trip ticket to Asia, Alan Reyes walked away with a luxurious local staycation package featuring a hotel stay and dining certificates, and Joshua Juan scored a brand-new microwave oven.

Beyond the overall champions, the event highlighted stellar performances across every age division. In the 13 age and under category, Dylan Barcinas, Mark Vargas, and Caleb Shin swept the male podium, while Leisa Santos, Lovel Spaeth, and Kayleigh Cabanas took the top three spots for the females. The 14 to 19 age group saw strong finishes from male winners Feng Jiaen, Robert Riggilo, and Pete Phair, alongside female medalists Zhaoyu Shen, Ericka Long, and Joan Song.

​The adult divisions were equally fiercely contested. The 20 to 29 category was led by Kyle Aoams, Mokmin Kim, and Sean Omon for the men, and Samantha Manglona, Davina Magofna, and Chenille Geronimo for the women. Eugene Oliver, Taro Toda, and Dernie Aguilar dominated the male 30 to 39 bracket, just as Asia Hilario, Marianne Joyce Ejercito, and Quina Viana conquered the female side. In the 40 to 49 age group, Joel Phair, Yondong Long, and Jordan Melvin claimed the male honors, alongside female champions India Sraunton, Meg Dame, and Doyz Kim.

​Rounding out the master’s categories, the 50 to 59 division celebrated male winners Raymund Tolentino, Mestor Corotan, and Ronaldo Quinnez, as well as female finishers Quixang Chen, Meihah Sin Jin, and Geraldine Rodger. Finally, in the 60 and up bracket, James Munnis, Ponce Corotan, and Mario Espellta secured the top male honors, while Jane Jones, Julia Ceremuga, and Maribeth Babauta proudly led the female seniors.

​From competitive runners battling the heat to families strolling through clouds of foam, the morning stood as a spectacular display of a community moving forward together.