Lombok to host half-marathon

JAKARTA: The inaugural Lombok half-marathon will take place in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, on July 13, with prizes of Rp 50 million (US$6,000).

The 21.1-kilometer run, which will be the closing event of the week-long Senggigi Festival, will start at 6 p.m. at the governor's residence in Mataram and finish at the Holiday Inn Resort in Mangsit.

Event coordinator Heiner Werdeling said it was hoped the run would become a popular annual draw for endurance runners from throughout Asia, Australia and the world.

"Tourism in Lombok has suffered extremely since the Bali bombings and the SARS fears, and we are hoping this event will help boost Lombok's currently poor visitor numbers," he said in a release. -- JP