NMA releases schedule of remaining road races

Northern Marianas Athletics released its final list of road races for the remaining months of the year, starting with the three-leg All Schools Cross Country Series that will begin on Sept. 23 at 4pm at the Airport Field in Dandan.

All three legs will be held at the Airport Road with the second one set for Oct. 7 and the last for Oct. 28. The finals will be on Nov. 11 at 7am with the venue to be announced before the day of the race.

The Annual Mt. Tapochao Turkey Trot Fun Run, the 34th edition of the 4.2-mile race, will again be held at 6am on Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 23.

Registration fees are $5 for youth participants and $10 for adult runners who will compete for turkeys that would be given away to the Under-12, U18, Open, 40-49, and Over-50 first place winners.

The 36th Annual Christmas Island Relay is next on Dec. 23, Saturday, with teams of five racers alternately running at least close to two miles. Squads must have one runner 40 years old or over and a female or youth member. Team fees are $25 or $5 for each member.

There is also an individual category and open division in the relay with participants doing the entire 13.7-mile run from the south parking lot of the Pacific Islands Club-Saipan in san Antonio to the Last Command Post in Marpi. Registration starts at 5:30am at the PIC parking lot and the race begins at 6am.

“It is our hope that the schools and community take advantage of this opportunity as we work together towards building a healthy and vibrant community. We look forward to [everyone’s] participation again in these events,” said NMA official Elias Rangamar.

For more information on the NMA’s final races, call Rangamar at 2876347 or email eli_rang@yahoo.com or Robin Sapong at 2879037 or at rsapong@gmail.com.

In other news, Oceania Athletics Association is now accepting applications from their member federations for the Women Deliver Young Leaders Program, which would give youth advocates an opportunity to strengthen their advocacy capacity and skills.

It is a two-year program that can be completed even when you are in your home country. The program includes digital university, speakers bureau, grant opportunities, women deliver global conference, media opportunities and training, direct in-country advocacy, and alumni network and mentorship opportunities.

The program will accept young people—regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or national origin—from ages 15 to 28. Applicants must know how to speak and write English proficiently, and must have a regular internet access.

The program is free and deadline for submission of applications is on Oct. 13. Check out http://womendeliver.org/youth/young-leaders-program-detail/ for additional information.