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Tania tunes up for Australia by breaking own record
Tania Tan runs the 3,000m last weekend at the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational. (NICOLETA PAPAVASILAKIS)
Tania Tan reset her CNMI national record in the 3,000m after running the event in 10:18:81 last weekend at the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational.
The 21-year-old Fordham University senior obliterated her old mark of 10:57.58 set last year in the Ramapo Season Opener indoor track meet in New York City.
“My race started at 9:30pm because there were over 300 people in the 3K race. We raced at Boston University and it’s known to be a ‘fast’ track. The track was super bouncy and there were so many people in the race so it pushed me to run fast. It’s funny because my average mile pace for the 3k was the same as my mile PR time last weekend,” she told Saipan Tribune in a social media message.
Tan dedicated her nth CNMI national record to the usual suspects.
“I want to dedicate this to my friends and family back home for always supporting me, but also to my Fordham coaches and teammates for pushing me to get better each day.”
Tan said the Boston race was a nice tuneup for her next competition. She is currently in Bathurst, Australia to compete in the Athletics Cross Country Championships 2023.
“I think this race was a good tuneup for Australia. It’s good to get some speed in before the long 10K I will have to race in Australia.”
CNMI national athletics coach Dr. Ron Snyder said Tan will be tackling a longer course than the 3,000m in the Land Down Under.
“The race really isn’t a good warmup for Australia. The Cross Country Championships in Bathurst will be three times as far, on uneven surfaces with mud and sand and in a 20-degree warmer climate.”
Tan’s high school track and field coach and headmaster of her alma mater, Saipan International School, however said he’s confident that with her training she’ll do well in Australia.
“What is good preparation for Australia is all of the training that she has been doing to get to the place where she continually breaks NMI records. This dedication and sheer volume of training will stand her well as she moves outside in the Australian heat to compete against the world’s best cross country runners. She is ready to make us proud.”
