Cross Country Championships tomorrow morning

The 2006 Cross Country Series comes to an end tomorrow morning as Northern Marianas Athletics hosts the 2006 All Schools Cross Country Championships at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort.

According to NMA secretary general Robin Sapong, all schools interested in taking part in the event must have their runners register at 6am. The first race will kick off at 6:30am.

The event will feature four age groups for boys and girls, such as 9-and-under, 11-and-under, 14-and-under, and 18-and-under. The 9-and-under and 11-and-under divisions will start off the event as their races kick off at 6:30am. The 14-and-under and 18-and-under divisions will follow.

The 9-and-under and 11-and-under divisions will challenge a 3-kilometer course, while runners in the 14-and-under and 18-and-under divisions will run a 6-km race.

Like in the past, NMA will recognize the Top 3 individuals of each division, as well as the Top 3 schools of each division. The Top 3 individuals will receive medals, while schools will be presented trophies.

Sapong said NMA will determine the top schools through a points system. The first individual to finish the race will receive a point, the second will receive two points, third will receive three points, and so on. Points of the Top 5 finishers for each school will be computed, and the school with the lowest points will take top honors.

If fewer than five competitors of a team finish, the places of all members of that team will be disregarded and the team will not be eligible to place in the top three.

Sapong also added that ties in team scoring will be resolved by comparing the sixth place finishers of each team. In the case that one team does not have a sixth place finisher, the team with the sixth place finisher will prevail.

If only five competitors of tying teams finish, the tie will be resolved by totaling the scores of the first four finishers.

NMA has also set rules for disqualification. Any runner who has two false starts in one race and any runner who interferes with another runner will be disqualified.

Unsportsmanlike or unacceptable conduct such as language and behavior, which brings discredit to the individual and his or her school, will also lead to disqualification. Disrespectfully addressing an official, criticizing an opponent or official or the willful failure to follow the directions of the meet official will also lead to disqualification.

Runner are also not to be aided by a coach, teammate or anyone connected directly or indirectly with the competitor or team. Such aids include running alongside a runner and coaching and runners joining hands at anytime in the race. Runners are also not allowed to run bare footed.

Also, competitors who fail to complete the course defined by legal marketing system will be disqualified.

The referee shall make final decisions concerning questionable points and shall disqualify any runner for violation of rules.

For more information about the Cross Country Championships, contact NMA coaches director Elias Rangamar at 664-2502 or email at eli_rang@yahoo.com, email Sapong at sapong@pticom.com.