Ji, who left Lower Base with 114 participants on a chilly Thanksgiving morning, ended with the fastest time of 39 minutes and 44 seconds. He posted 39:22 to win last year’s race and placed runner-up in 2009 behind previous champion Jack Kabiriel.
Stuart Smith trailed Ji with the second fastest time at 40:36.
Mieko Carey finished in 42 minutes and 36 seconds to become the top female finisher — a title once held by Mamiko Berger, who marked 42:55 last year.
Meanwhile, Ronald Villafria and Noriko Jim clinched the male and female open divisions at 41:57 and 44:34, respectively.
One of Thursday morning’s fastest runners included John Auther, who survived the 4.2-mile uphill run in 42:10. Both Auther and Joshalyn Flores (1:25:48) won in the 12-and-under male and female divisions.
In the 13-17 age group, cross country runner Mike Mancao (44:10) and Gabrielle Race (59:14) ruled the male and female categories.
Other winners with their time and division in parentheses were Brandon Wiley (45:39 30-39 male), Tina Goodwin (1:05:36 30-39 female), Tom Linden (42:11 40-49 male), Kim Young (53:49 40-49 female), Smith (40:36 50-and-above male), and Juanita Fajardo (1:10:04 50A female).
Slight breeze and a sunny weather greeted both runners and walkers at Mt. Tapochau, slightly easing the rocky uphill trek.
Yesterday marked the 27th edition of the race, a tradition upheld by the Northern Marianas Athletics.
