NMA to hold qualifier for Oceania half marathon

Northern Marianas Athletic will be holding a qualifying tournament to select two long distance runners who will represent the CNMI to the half marathon competition in the 31st Annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon in Australia.

NMA president Kurt Barnes said the qualifier will be held simultaneously with the CNMI National Championships on May 2. The race course and start time will be announced later.

The half marathon event in Gold Coast will take place on July 5.

The two CNMI athletes who will qualify for the tournament Down Under will get an all-expense paid trip to Australia, courtesy of the Oceania Athletics Association.

Besides the half and full marathon, the 31st Annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon will also feature four other events and changes on the marathon course.

Queensland Events Gold Coast general manager Cameron Hart said changes will add additional appeal to participants and the community.

The full 42.195k marathon course, which starts at the Southport Broadwater Parklands, will stretch all the way to a southern turnaround point at Burleigh Heads this year, rather than the previous turnaround at Miami.

“This will add another scenic and flat section to the course at the southern end taking in one of the most beautiful and well known beaches in the world, Burleigh Heads,” Hart told the OAA website.

“The marathon course will take participants into another beautiful part of the Gold Coast and will continue its standing as one of the most picturesque courses in the world,” she added.

The 5k event will replace the 7.5k walk.

“The addition of the Gold Coast Bulletin 5km Challenge will be a great introduction for those runners who may not feel ready to tackle a 10k race just yet. The 5k is also a good distance for the walkers, many of whom are participating for the health and fitness benefits, as well as to enjoy the atmosphere of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon with friends or colleagues,” Hart said.

Other events set for the Gold Coast meet are the wheelchair half marathon, Southern Cross University 10km Run, and the 2.25k and 4k junior races.

The full Gold Coast Airport Marathon will have a cut-off time of six hours and 30 minutes to ensure that all races will finish by 2pm.

For more information about the qualifying tournament, contact Barnes at kurtproa@yahoo.com or call 235-5853, or Elias Rangamar at 664-2502.