NMI Women’s Run set for March 20

Two female runners head to the turnaround point during a local event late last month in Marpi. Women are encouraged to join the NMI Women’s Run on March 20. (Ponciano Corotan)

Northern Marianas Athletics is celebrating International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month by hosting the NMI Women’s Run on March 20.

It will be the first time the islands will have a running event for women only and NMA general secretary Robin Sapong believes this year’s IWD hashtag is perfect for ushering in a new race in the CNMI. March 8 was International Women’s Day and this year’s theme was “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 World.”

“The IWD #ChooseToChallenge has so many meanings but at the heart of it, I believe, is the opportunity to challenge ourselves to meet the United Nations Development Program’s goal of achieving equality in a COVID-19 world,” Sapong said.

The event will feature a 10K face-to-face race that will start and end at the American Memorial Park by the Hyatt Regency Saipan with runners heading to Beach Road for the turnaround point across Ladera Building. The race will have both individual and team divisions. Four women runners can enter the team category and the Top 3 times will be added up to give a composite time.

Sapong added that the race will be totally run by women, too. All officials and timekeepers will be women, with men serving only in a support capacity.

“We also see this as a great opportunity to promote our island culture. We are inviting women to run in a mwáár, and are planning a special surprise for the start of the race…featuring a woman, of course. We also hope to have women performing traditional dances along the course,” the NMA official said.

Saipan Community School cross country team coach Taylor Nowicki is encouraging women in the community to join the March 20 event,

“It is important to show girls how amazing our bodies are and what we, as females are capable of. It’s very empowering to see so many girls come together in such a healthy and positive way,” Nowicki said.

Meanwhile, a virtual race (5K or 10K) is also being offered along with the women’s run. Men are encouraged to come out and support the women in their lives in the virtual event and they can complete the distance of their choice wherever they like during the entire month of March, including on a treadmill. The virtual event also includes a team category.

“Team events are great,” said Edward Dela Cruz Jr. “We are working hard to build a running community in the CNMI that starts in schools but doesn’t end there. This event will be an important venue for doing just that.”

NMA has partnered with Race Roster, an online registration site used by many federations in Oceania Athletics, to enhance its presence online and make it easier for CNMI residents to participate. Registration is open online at: https://raceroster.com/events/2021/45389/nmi-10km-womens-run. Entry fees are $10 for women and $15 for men. (Saipan Tribune)