NMA to begin discussion on World Indoor participant

Northern Marianas Athletics has a tough task, as board members now must meet to discuss who will represent the Commonwealth in next year’s IAAF Indoor World Championships in Moscow.

NMA president Kurt Barnes called an emergency meeting for today at 4:30pm at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room in hopes of beginning discussions on who will take part in the Championships next August in Russia.

Only one slot was allotted to NMA by the IAAF, and with many athletes who did well in the recent 2nd Micronesia Athletics Championships, the board will certainly have a tough decision to make.

Notables include 200m record holder Tyrone Omar, five-medal winner Jacque Wonenberg, 110m gold medalist Dexter Dillay, and sprinter Darrel Roligat, among many others.

NMA treasurer Robin Sapong also added that no confirmation would be made until the slot allotted for NMA has been officially confirmed by organizers in Moscow.

Meanwhile, NMA will also continue discussions on the 24th Annual Christmas Island Relay, which will be held this Saturday.

The 2005 edition will begin at 5:30am at the Pacific Islands Club parking lot and will end at the Last Command Post in Marpi.

The event may also be used as a venue for athletes to prep for next month’s first-ever Saipan Marathon, as well as the annual half marathon and 10-kilometer run that coincide with the inaugural event.

Registration for the 13.7-mile course begins at 5am at the start area.

Each team, which consists of five members, must switch runners every mile. It is also required that each team has at least one female participant or a participant who is under the age of 16 or in the senior division. Prior to competing, all teams must pay a fee of $25.

Each team must also have a transportation vehicle that will be used to transport runners to their posts.

Individuals determined to run the course as a soloist can do so at a fee of $10.

Also to be discussed in the NMA meeting today is the aforementioned Saipan Mara-thon, which will be held on Jan. 21.

The cost to take part in the marathon is $35, and the fee for the half-marathon will remain the same at $25, but in an effort to curb the rush of last-minute entries, organizers are adding a $10 fee to anyone not registered for either of the three races by Friday, Jan. 13, 5pm. Registration will, however; remain open with the penalty pricing until the following week on Friday, Jan. 20, at 5pm.