When Dr. Brent Weigner crossed the finish line in the American Samoa marathon on Wednesday, it was a world record. American Samoa became the 200th country in which he has completed a marathon.
Paula Stevenson-McDonald, owner of South Pacific Watersports and Fitness Center, and also race coordinator said, “This is historic as it has never been done before, 200 countries! We are happy to play a small part in his journey.
“I am also so proud of all the other participants who came out to challenge themselves. So many of our own people signed up to run in the half marathon, our largest number to date.”
There over 40 people in the half marathon and another 20 in the full marathon.
“I see that as a great, positive sign and a shift in our approach on island regarding healthy living, wellness, and fitness, said Stevenson McDonald. “It was great to see.”
Darren Young from Samoa won the men’s division with a time of 4:05:40, and Muantawan Arsrairas from Thailand topped the women marathoners with a time of 5:38:18.
Finishing in first place in the half marathon were Skylar Jordan (Am. Samoa) with a time of 2:09:11, and Sana Lynch (Am. Samoa) with a time of 2:16:48.
Many of the race participants are part of the Marathon Globetrotters, a group of marathon enthusiasts who are traveling the world competing in marathons. Their mission is to “promote global friendships among those who run marathons in many countries.”
There were 30 participants from off island…from 9 different states and 8 different countries.
Stevenson McDonald thanked Director Minnie Tuia and the American Samoa Visitors Bureau for supporting the event. “This was a great opportunity for us to promote our islands as a destination for athletic events and a great opportunity to show off the beauty and uniqueness of our islands,” she commented.
The race coordinator also extended a big fa’amalo and fa’afetai to other supporters and sponsors – Director Kalasa at the stadium, American Samoa Athletics, ASNOC, Allstar Signs, DOH and the Cancer Control program, and McConnell Dowell. “We could not have done it without their support,” she remarked.
Photos: South Pacific Watersports & Fitness
