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Turkey Trot, final MAC qualifier next week
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Posted on Nov 18 2005
Northern Marianas Athletics will certainly be busy next Thursday and Saturday.
NMA will host the 21st Annual Mt. Tapochao Turkey Trot Fun Run on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 24.
The challenge features a 4.2-mile course beginning at the Department of Public Works Beach in Lowerbase and ending at the peak of Mt. Tapochao.
Five age categories will be featured for both males and females including 12-and-under, 17-and-under, open, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, and 50-and-over.
Registration begins at 5:15am at the starting point, with the race set to get underway at 6am. Adults must pay an entrance fee of $7 while youth runners will pay just $5.
Last year, a total of 63 early birds conquered strong winds, heavy rain, and a foggy path up to Mt. Tapochao.
Topping the race was veteran triathlete Russ Quinn, who reached the peak in 39.51. He was followed by Robert Jordan (39.58) and Dirk Sharer (40.42).
The NMA will then turn attention back to the final qualifying trial for the upcoming 2005 Micronesian Athletics Championships on Saturday, Nov. 26 at the Oleai Sports Complex track and field facility.
All athletes interested in competing under the CNMI flag in the December Championships must qualify for one of the three slots allotted to the Commonwealth in each event.
Trial registration begins at 2pm with the competition beginning immediately after.
Two trials have already been held, with athletes such as Darrel Roligat, Jackie Wonenberg, Sidro Tebuteb, Julie Tokyo, Champ Untalan, Noriko Jim, and Chang Jang Wang taking top honors.
The Championships will be held on Dec. 14 and 15 on Saipan and will play host to about 100 athletes from the CNMI, Guam, Palau, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, and Kiribati.
During the Championships, Team CNMI will be led by head coach Bob Winkfield.
The NMA is also welcoming anyone interested in volunteering to assist officials before and during the Championships.
For more information about the Mt. Tapochao Turkey Trot Fun Run and the final qualifying trial for the MAC, contact NMA coaches director Elias Rangamar at 664-2502, president Kurt Barnes at 235-5853, or treasurer Robin Sapong at 235-6500.
