Track and field champs this weekend

Once again it is time to don the sneaks and stretch the legs as the 14th Annual CNMI National Track and Field Championships has been rescheduled for this Saturday, pending Mother Nature’s approval. After an emergency meeting of the Northern Marianas International Track and Field Federation that was held this past Tuesday, it was determined that all of the times and events are to be the same.

Registration will begin promptly at 2:30pm and continue until 3pm, when the events get underway. The long jump and the discus events will be held from 3pm through 3:30, while the javelin will commence at 3:30 and wrap up in time for the track events at 4pm.

Sprinters will be able to pick from the 60m, 100m, 200m, and 400m, while the mid and long distance runners should be pleased with events that will showcase their talents in the 800m, 1500m, and the 5000.

This year will also offer something that is a little different from the usual team events. Rather than the standard 4×100 and 4×400 relay races, there will be a medley that features a 2×100, 1×200 and a 1×400. There will also be a mixed event in the 4×100 whereas each team will have two males and two females.

The order in which the races will be run is as follows: 100m, 800m, 60m, 400m, 1500m, 200m, 5000m, and the relays.

The track and field facility will be closed to the public today to allow for the necessary cleaning and preparation for tomorrow’s event.

The championships are open to anybody that is on island for the event. You can register as late as 2:30pm on race day for the event whether you are a tourist, local, contract worker, or looking for something to do during a long layover.

There will be medals awarded for the top three finishers in each of the events. Though each of the events will be open to all ages, top finishers in age groups 11-and-under and 17-and-under will be recognized for men and women separately as well as the masters divisions of 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, and every five years for as long as there are contestants.

As a reminder to the public, the hours of operation for the track are from 7:30am until 9pm and lanes 6-8 having been designated for recreational runners and walkers.

If you are interested in further information about this edition of the championships or volunteering to help in the event, please contact Elias Rangamar by calling 664-2503. (Brad E. Ruszala)