TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (Press Release) — Northern Marianas Athletics is proud to have a small but determined team represent the CNMI at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida. The team included U20 runner Victor Nash Santos, Open Female 10K competitor Nathania “Tania” Tan, and coaches Dr. Ron Snyder and Kathryn Watt, who trains Tania in Hawaii.
Both athletes have a track record of success on the regional and international stage. Nash Santos, a senior at Saipan International School, has consistently placed among the top high school competitors in Oceania athletics events. He is also the current NMI 10,000m record holder. Tania Tan is a highly successful, multiple-time national champion and record holder in distance events and has been training under Coach Watt in Hawaii to compete at higher levels internationally.
At the championships, both athletes faced a grueling course designed to reflect Florida’s landscapes: a steep hill inspired by Central Florida roller coasters, a sandy stretch full of holes reminiscent of Florida’s beaches, a water obstacle representing the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, a mud pit evoking the Everglades, and a series of artistic carvings highlighting Florida’s flora and fauna that blocked the course at multiple heights. Unseasonably warm temperatures made the race even more difficult, causing multiple runners to collapse along the course. Nash successfully ran the U20 8-kilometer race, finishing in 33:28, while Tania completed the Open Female 10K in 41:48.
Nash reflected on the unique challenge, noting, “The course was totally different than what I have raced before. I have never had obstacles like this before, but it was fun. The sand was the hardest part, full of holes, and by the end, it was a challenge to lift my feet through it.”
Tania echoed the sentiment of excitement and inspiration, saying, “Thank you to Northern Marianas Athletics for giving me the opportunity to compete at such a high-level event. It’s always eye-opening to see how fast the world’s top athletes are, and it inspires me to continue working hard and striving to hopefully be there one day. I am glad and proud to represent our tiny islands on the biggest stage.”
Despite the heat and technical course, both athletes ran with determination. Coach and Team Leader Dr. Ron Snyder praised their effort, saying, “Watching Nash and Tania tackle this world-class course with heart and determination makes me incredibly proud. Representing the Northern Mariana Islands on this stage is about more than finishing times — it’s about courage, teamwork, and showing the world what our athletes are capable of. Today, they ran with honor, and they will inspire the next generation of runners back home.”
Coach Kathryn Watt also highlighted their dedication and potential: “It was an honor to travel to Tallahassee to support the incredible athletes representing the Northern Mariana Islands. Competing at the highest level, they ran for their country with pride and integrity. The future is bright for these two athletes as they continue to grow in this sport and inspire their nation. Thank you Northern Marianas Athletics for this amazing opportunity.”
Cross country emphasizes both individual performance and team strategy. In Oceania and World Athletics scoring (used in Saipan), the top four runners’ positions are summed to determine the team score — a system that highlights the importance of teamwork and depth. While the Northern Mariana Islands fielded a small team, the experience gained by Nash and Tania in competing against the world’s best is invaluable for their growth and for the future of athletics in the islands.
The championships featured historic global performances. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo claimed his third consecutive world cross country title with a decisive final surge to beat Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi, while Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo took bronze. In the women’s race, Agnes Ngetich of Kenya dominated, winning by 42 seconds — one of the largest margins in championship history — followed by Joy Cheptoyek (Uganda) with silver and Senayet Getachew (Ethiopia) taking bronze. Ethiopia secured the women’s team title.
The weekend began with an exciting mixed relay, as Australia, anchored by Jessica Hull, powered to gold ahead of France and Ethiopia, marking the first-ever Australian victory in this event.
For the Northern Mariana Islands, the championships provided invaluable experience, allowing the athletes to navigate a historic and technical course, compete alongside elite runners, and proudly represent the CNMI on the world stage during a weekend of unforgettable racing, historic performances, and world-class battles.
