TANIA Tan and Sildrey Veloria have been selected to take part in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 2023 which will be held in Bathurst, Australia on Feb. 18 and 19.
Tan and Veloria have also represented the CNMI in the Oceania Athletics Association Cross Country Championships — Tan in 2019 and Veloria this past fall.
In total, 12 Oceania Member Federations will “toe the start” at Mount Panorama in Bathurst.
The CNMI is joining five other island nations or jurisdictions to debut for the first time at the World Cross Country Championships.
Tan has high hopes in her participation as she will be riding the momentum of recently breaking two CNMI and personal best records.
“I feel like I’m in pretty good shape at the moment, as I’ve been doing well in my track races and had a good cross country season this past fall as well,” Tan said. “I’m hoping to just do my best and represent our islands well, whatever the outcome may be.”
For Tan, cross country is tough as each course is different, including the terrain and elevation. “It’s a true test of one’s bodily strength. I think this would be one of biggest challenges because the nature of the sport is challenging in general. Another challenge would be running against so many elite and experienced runners,” she said.
She believes that every single athlete at the competition was selected to represent their home islands or countries for a reason.
“My goal for this competition is to do my best and race hard but also to enjoy and cherish this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s not every day you get invited to run in such a prestigious event so I am super thankful to have been given this opportunity. I am looking forward to racing and learning more about racing at high-level competitions from all these runners and to be back down under in Australia again in the warmth!”
Difficult task
Veloria also believes that it will be a very tough challenge. “I think catching up to the league group would be my most difficult task.”
He added, “My goal is to complete the race in 41 minutes and 30 seconds, which is currently my fastest time for a 10K.”
Veloria is also looking forward to meeting some of the people who have inspired him to become a better distance runner. “I also really want to see a kangaroo before I leave Australia,” he said.
The World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 2023 will comprise the U20 men’s (8km) and women’s (6km) races, the universal mixed relay (8km) and the senior individual men’s and women’s races (10km).
These world championship events will be supported by a series of mass participation races.
Tan and Veloria will both race in the senior division of the 10K race.
Athletics coach Dr. Ron Snyder will accompany Tan and Veloria as their coach/team manager, and will also compete in the world masters of the 55–59-year-old division.
The World Athletics Cross Country Championships 2023 will welcome more than 550 elite athletes from more than 60 countries and jurisdictions.
Tania Tan, center, makes her way through the outdoor course of the Fordham Fiasco Cross Country Meet on Sept. 10, 2022.
Sildrey Veloria finishes first in the inaugural Run Saipan Trinity race in the Kensington Hotel upper parking lot on Jan. 14, 2023.
