Top runners to compete in Jakarta Int'l 10K

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

The capital will play host to The Jakarta International 10K run on June 20 to celebrate the city's 477th anniversary.

International and top national runners have been invited to participate in the event, which will offer a total of Rp 541 million (US$60,000) in cash prizes and trophies for the runners. Local residents and students are also encouraged to take part in the event.

"We have received confirmation from 24 international runners from Asia, Europe and Africa. They are not worried about security during the (presidential) campaign here," said Yudhi Suyoto, the head of the organizing committee, on Monday.

The event will take place in the run-up to the presidential election, which will be held on July 5.

National track and field association secretary Tigor Tanjung said that although the cash prizes had failed to woo the very top ranked runners, organizers were still pleased the event would attract several participants ranked in the top 50 in the world.

Sammy Kipruto and fellow Kenyan Leah Mallot will be among the favorites for the top prize of $10,000 in the world's elite group.

Sammy and Mallot were runners-up in the last year's Bali International 10K.

Indonesian runners expected to compete for the winners' check of Rp 15 million include Gede Karangasem, Agus Prayogo, Djauhari Johan, Ferry Subnafeu, Erni Ulatningsih and Olivia Sadi.

Agus won last year's Jakarta National 10K.

The race, which organizers hope will attract more than 20,000 runners, will be started by Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso.