719 people to run in Bali Marathon

719 people to run in Bali Marathon

JAKARTA (JP): Some 719 people, consisting of 563 Indonesians
and 156 Japanese, will run in the 13th Bali Marathon on Oct. 24
at Sanur beach in Denpasar.

Event organizer Arifin Hutabarat told Antara news agency on
Friday that the number of participants had dropped from 1,350
last year.

He cited the poor economy and security concerns as the main
causes for the decline. He said the Japanese might be uncertain
about security in Indonesia, adding that 20 Japanese from Okaido
recently withdrew from the event.

A number of athletes from the West Nusa Tenggara and East Java
chapters of the Indonesian Amateur Athletic Association
reportedly will take part in the event, which features five-
kilometer and 21-km runs, which are titled the fun-run and half-
marathon, respectively.

The 1998 Bali Marathon champions, M. Basri from West Nusa
Tenggara and Sumiati from Banyuwangi, East Java, have confirmed
their participation in this year's competition. (ivy)