SAIPAN SUGARCANE RAILROAD JOURNEY RUN 81KM ON JAN. 21, 2026, IN THE MARIANAS
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) – The rich history and lush nature of the Marianas come alive for runners at the Saipan Sugarcane Railroad Journey Run 81KM on Jan. 17, 2026.
The run will traverse the forests and roadways of Saipan in retracing the route of the sugarcane railway that crisscrossed the island at the height of the Japanese administrative period in the early 1900s. The endurance event commemorates the 150th anniversary of the birthday of Haruji Matsue, the “Sugar King” of the then-bustling sugar industry in the Marianas.
"The Saipan Sugarcane Railroad Journey Run is more than a race—it’s a celebration of our island’s enduring spirit and unique history,” said Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron. “This extraordinary run invites participants from around the world to experience Saipan’s rich history, breathtaking nature, and vibrant culture along the remnants of the island’s historic sugarcane railway. We invite runners and visitors to join us in commemorating this part of our history, celebrating our ties of friendship with Japan today, and experiencing the beauty, resilience, and hospitality that define the Marianas.”
A Journey Through Time and Nature
This race is co-organized by the non-profit organization Sports Aid Japan and the MVA. Sports Aid Japan organizes races for its members around Japan featuring significant sites, scenery, and history. This race is a landmark occasion for Sports Aid Japan, as it constitutes their inaugural overseas event.
The story of the Marianas is woven from the history of the indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people, alongside centuries of Spanish, German, Japanese and American influence. During the Japanese era, Saipan was home to nearly 30,000 Japanese citizens and flourished as a major hub for sugarcane cultivation. The legendary 50-mile (80.5 km) narrow-gauge railway once encircled Saipan, transporting sugarcane and goods—a history that endures in the landscape and spirit of the island. Similar railways supported the industry on the neighboring islands of Tinian and Rota.
Event Highlights
Registration for individuals or teams is $80. The general registration deadline is Dec. 5, and the registration for Marianas residents is Dec. 12. Individual participants must show proof of finishing a marathon in October 2022 or later (waived for team entries). Marianas residents may register in person at the MVA office on Beach Rd., I Liyang, Saipan.
The journey run traces the historic railway route, including ascents to Mt. Tapochao, the scenic northern coastline, and World War II heritage sites. The race starts and finishes at American Memorial Park, Micro Beach, Garapan. A starting ceremony will be held at 4:30 a.m., followed by race start at 5 a.m. The finish line closes at 9 p.m. Relay teams of 2-6 members will exchange runners at designated aid stations.
Awards and amenities include:
- Digital finisher’s certificate
- Official race t-shirt
- Marianas specialty product
- Pre-event reception on Jan 16 with food, drinks, and performances
- Optional post-event party on January 18 and sightseeing tours for an additional cost
The event prioritizes safety, self-sufficiency, and respect for the Marianas’ natural and historical heritage. Participants must navigate using official course maps, pass all checkpoints, and carry mandatory night gear and cell phones. Additional requirements apply. A course map is available at: https://shorturl.at/HQ9j5.
For more information and registration details, contact MVA Community Projects Coordinator Ed Diaz at [email protected], call 1.670.664.3200, or visit The Marianas Calendar at www.mymarianas.com.
Laborers harvest sugarcane and load it into carabao carts in the Marianas in the early 1900s during the archipelago's bustling sugarcane industry under Japan's South Seas Development Company. The Saipan Sugarcane Railroad Journey Run on Jan. 17, 2026, will retrace the old train tracks and highlight historical sites from the period. For more information, visit www.mymarianas.com. (Photo credit: Georg Fritz Collection)
A sugarcane mill stands in Saipan, The Marianas in the early 1900s during the archipelago's bustling sugarcane industry under Japan's South Seas Development Company. The Saipan Sugarcane Railroad Journey Run on Jan. 17, 2026, will retrace the old sugarcane train tracks and highlight historical sites from the period. For more information, visit www.mymarianas.com. (Photo credit: Georg Fritz Collection)
A statue of "Sugar King" Haruji Matsue stands at Sugar King Park in Garapan, Saipan, in The Marianas. Matsue was the director of Japan's South Seas Development Company, which operated a bustling sugarcane industry in The Marianas in the early 1900s. The Saipan Sugarcane Railroad Journey Run on Jan. 17, 2026, will retrace the old train tracks and highlight historical sites from the period. For more information, visit www.mymarianas.com. (Photo credit: Junji Takasago)
The Marianas is an archipelago of 14 islands - including Saipan, Tinian, and Rota - in the Western Pacific. The Marianas are home to indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people, as well as over 20 different ethnicities from around the world who live and work in this harmonious tropical paradise. Ancient latte stone limestone monoliths, traditional nature-based ocean navigation not reliant on modern technology, and a culture seasoned by East and West influences are just a few of the experiences found in The Marianas, where pristine sea, sand, and skies are only a 3–4-hour flight from major Asian gateway cities. From Korea Republic, Jeju Air and T’Way provide direct flights to Saipan from Seoul-Incheon. United Airlines flies three times a week from Tokyo-Narita, Japan, and daily from Guam4. Hong Kong Airlines flies twice weekly from Hong Kong, China. Interisland travel between Saipan, Tinian, and Rota is provided by Star Marianas Air. For more information on The Marianas, visit www.mymarianas.com, Facebook/VisitTheMarianas, or Instagram @themarianas.