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NMA asks schools to prepare for X-Country
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Posted on Aug 11 2017
Whispering Palms’ Dylan Mister is on his way to a first place finish in the elementary division races in the third leg of Northern Marianas Athletics’ 2016 All Schools Cross Country Series held at the CPA Airport Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Northern Marianas Athletics is inviting all public and private school to join the final events on their 2017 calendar starting with the All Schools Cross Country Series next month.
To this end, NMA development officer Elias Rangamar reminded all schools to begin their preparations for the annual four-leg race that is set to begin in September.
NMA has yet to release the opening date, but the first leg will be at CPA Airport Field followed by succeeding legs that stretch to October. The other legs will be held consecutively at the Civic Center Beach and American Memorial Park.
The Cross Country finals will be in November at AMP. The final dates are yet to be determined, but the races will be held on a Saturday.
Rangamar is encouraging each school to at least have representatives in each age group—Under 7, U9, U11, U13, U15, and U18. The many-time CNMI national athletics coach is reminding schools to begin preparing their students.
More than 160 runners from different elementary, middle, and high schools joined the series of races last year. Agape Christian School led with 86 participants in the middle and high school divisions.
Runners in the elementary division—U7, U9, and U11—take on a one-mile course, while U13 and U15 participants complete two laps. High school runners (U18) negotiate three laps.
Saipan International School, Saipan Community School, San Vicente Elementary School, and Mt. Carmel School also joined the first leg of the race last year.
Trophies and medals will be given to individual winners and top schools in each age division in the finals.
“We’re encouraging all schools, public or private, to join. Hopefully, we could have more runners in each age group,” said Rangamar, who added the annual Cross Country race is part of NMA’s grassroots development program. “We are hoping more runners would join this year.”
The 11th Asia Pacific Invitational Cross Country Championships on Oct. 20 and 21 in Guam, the 30th Annual Mt. Tapochau Turkey Trot on Nov. 24, athletics competitions in the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu, and the 36th Christmas Island Relay on Dec. 23 are also on NMA’s calendar of events.
