Embedded Files
Run Saipan, in honor of Dr. Ron Snyder, who was instrumental in the formation of the run club, held a farewell 5K on Wednesday at the Beach Road Pathway in front of the Oleai Beach Bar and Grill.
Surrounded by friends, colleagues, students, and his two best fur-friends Gilligan and Sophie, they took on the pathway heading south despite the steady pour of rain and cold breeze.
It was also a timed race with Rex Pixley in first at 26:37.82, Jacob Kim in second at 26:38.30, and Andre Guerrero in third with 26:38.80 in the men’s division. In the women’s division, Addalee Taflinger was first at 26:49, Jian Chun came in second at 26:59, and Kaylen Taflinger finished third with 29:05.
Snyder, who fought hard not to get choked up during the interview said, “It means a lot and great turnout especially considering this weather. Some runners I haven’t seen in a long time and some I see all the time. It’s really touching that they’re here… It’s really been special. I’m going to miss Saipan and going to miss Run Saipan a lot—going to miss running with the kids in cross country, I’m going to miss S.I.S, and I’m going to miss you too (referring to this reporter).”
He added, “Thank you guys for everything. Stay strong in the next couple of years. I think the resilience of this community is amazing. You’ll get through it and Saipan is going to rise even stronger than it has before.”
For Run Saipan president Ed Dela Cruz, who said Snyder is like a father figure to him, said that the 5K was “in honor of not only what Dr. Ron has done for education, but also for the world of athletics and the road race scene.”
Dela Cruz added, “If it wasn’t for this man, we would not have the quality 5K community road races you see today. Dr. Ron is one of the three driving forces to ensure that community events like these exist. He has a passion for this so he’ll drop anything, anytime, anywhere if it deals with community road races, runs, or cross country, or track and field. He’s given so much of his life to service for this—he’s earned his right to retire and go live off his happiness while we continue to work here… it’s sad to see him leave, but he’s not leaving forever. He’s still a board member for Run Saipan and he’ll be working and supporting us virtually overseas.”
The new S.I.S. headmaster, Martin Jambor, for his part said that the event for Snyder was wonderful. “Leaving the island after a decade is never easy… we’re all here to give him a shoutout and support him and let him know that he will be missed—not only him as a person but his family and all the work he’s done here for the island and for all the kids.”
As the new headmaster, Jambor said he found the school in a good place. “It tells a lot about him and his leadership so it was a relatively easy transition for me even although I’ve only had a really, really short time for handover. But also through the handover process, he has shown a very high level of professionalism. He does things right and that’s why he stayed behind a couple months and I’m very grateful for that. The school is in good hands and I’m looking forward for this new opportunity for me.”
Snyder was one of the founding members of Run Saipan and has been the headmaster of Saipan International School since 2016.
Run Saipan used this farewell 5K to kick off relocating their group runs every Wednesday to the Beach Road Pathway in Oleai next to Northern Marianas College’s Wave, Rock, and Roll.
Snyder leaves for New York on Wednesday, then will make his way to Portugal next year.
By Leigh Gases
Report abuse