Saipan Marathon

Course & Elevation

The Saipan Marathon is the annual running event of the Marianas Visitors Authority, held in early spring on Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. It was first held in April 2006, and the authority had already staged a Saipan Half Marathon since 1982. The race is co-organised with Northern Marianas Athletics and offers a full marathon, a half marathon, a 10K and a 5K. In 2026 the marathon started at 4:00 a.m. on 7 March, before the day's heat, from the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan in Garapan. All courses are out-and-back and start and finish at the resort. The marathon runs from Paseo de Marianas along Beach Road to the American Memorial Park intersection and north on Chalan Pale Arnold to a turnaround at Marpi, then back south to a second turnaround near the Pacific Islands Club. The organiser calls the Beach Road course known for gentle elevation changes and views of the lagoon, and it is a World Athletics and AIMS certified measured course. Over 600 runners from 19 countries and territories registered in 2025. Participants must be 18 or older for the full marathon.