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Cross Country finals to push through
The Northern Marianas Athletics will push through with the finals of the 2015 All Schools Cross Country race despite the threat of Tropical Storm In-fa in the CNMI this weekend.
Tropical Storm In-fa is expected to pass Southern Guam this weekend and would also bring occasional rain to Saipan.
NMA official Elias Rangamar, in an email sent to all the coaches, said they based their decision on the direction that In-fa is taking.
“After looking at the latest tracking of Tropical Storm In-fa, it looks like we can proceed with the finals this weekend. I will make sure that you are all informed should a sudden change in the weather occurs and we need to cancel the meet,” Rangamar said in the email.
He also asked all coaches to give them their contact numbers so he could easily relay the message if the race would be cancelled.
The race at the Airport Field will start at 3pm with qualifiers in the elementary boys and girls divisions (U7, U9, and U11) running first followed by the middle and high school runners (U13, U15, and U18).
Rangamar also reminded the coaches that they would strictly enforce the rules for the weekend race. “For safety reasons, participants will not be allowed to run barefoot. An athlete must also participate in at least one of the four legs in order to qualify for the finals.”
Race officials would also disqualify a runner who will be “aided by a coach, teammate, or anyone connected directly or indirectly with the competitor or team concerned.”
Running alongside an athlete or coaching them, participants holding hands at anytime of the race, and those who will fail to complete the course—marked by cones—are also grounds for disqualification.
Points will then be awarded to runners based on their standing with the first three finishers earning one, two, and three points each. The team that will score the least number of points after adding up all of it will be the winner.
“If fewer than five competitors of a team finish, the places of all members of that team shall be disregarded and the team scores re-ranked,” said Rangamar.
The Top 3 in each category will be awarded medals, while ribbons will be given to the remaining finishers. The first three teams will receive trophies.
