Samoa's Darren Young has won the men's category of the American Samoa Marathon amid celebration as another marathoner set a world record for running in his 200th country.

The marathon was held on Thursday (Wednesday American Samoa Time) and besides the local participants, 30 were from off-island with nine from different states and eight different countries, according to a press release on the event issued by South Pacific Watersports & Fitness in American Samoa.

Finishing in first place in the marathon were Darren Young (men) from Samoa with a time of 4:05:40 and Muantawan Arsrairas (women) from Thailand with a time of 5:38:18. For the half marathon, and in first place, was Skylar Jordan (Am. Samoa) with a time of 2:09:11 and Sana Lynch (Am. Samoa) with a time of 2:16:48.

History was also made in American Samoa as Dr. Brent Weigner completed the American Samoa Marathon, making American Samoa the 200th country in which he has completed a marathon.

SPW Fitness owner and race coordinator Paula Stevenson-McDonald was elated that the record was set at the American Samoa Marathon.

“It was great to see Dr. Weigner complete the American Samoa Marathon, marking his 200th country in which he has completed a marathon. This is historic as it has never been done before, 200 countries! We are happy to play a small part in his journey," said Paula. “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. 

"We had over 40 people in the half, another 20 in the full marathon. I see that as a great, positive sign and a shift in our approach on the island regarding healthy living, wellness, and fitness. It was great to see.”

The 2023 American Samoa Marathon and half marathon route began at Veteran’s Stadium in Tafuna and made its way through Lion’s Park, Nu’uuli, and into Faga’alu where runners would turn and make their way back to the stadium. Marathoners would complete two loops, for a total of 26.1 miles, while half-marathoners would do 1 loop for a total of 13.1 miles. The marathon was the first organised marathon in American Samoa and the half marathon was the organiser's fifth.

Stevenson-McDonald thanked the American Samoa Visitor’s Bureau for supporting the sporting event.

“We want to thank Director Minnie Tuia and the American Samoa Visitor’s Bureau for supporting our event. We had 30 participants from off-island. There were people from nine different states and eight different countries. 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.”

“Also, a big fa’amalo and fa’afetai to our 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.”

Many of the race participants who travelled here to compete in the marathon are part of the Marathon Globetrotters, a group of marathon enthusiasts who are travelling the world competing in marathons. Their mission is to “Promote global friendships among those who run marathons in many countries.”