World's top runners to join in Bali 10K Solidarity Run
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A number of the world's top runners will take part in the Bali 10K Solidarity Run, which will be held early next month, said the organizers here on Monday.
"The Bali 10K event is part of the national effort to bring back tourism to Bali after the Oct. 12 bombing," Michael Sumarijanto, chairman of the organizing committee, said during a press conference.
Michael said that 12 of the world's top runners would be among the expected 10,000 participants in the lucrative event which offers a total of US$50,000 in cash prizes with a chance to win US$500,000 for the new world record.
The race is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 2, with the starting line at Sanur on the eastern part of the island, and the finish line at Kuta, on the west.
Kuta is the area where the terrorist attacks took place, which claimed the lives of around 200 people, most of whom were foreigners.
Among the world's elite athletes at the Bali 10K will be Kenyans Hosea K. Kogo and Abraham Tando, both of whom finished in the top two slots at the 2002 Gossau Tournament in Switzerland, and Andre Green of Germany, who will be running in the men's category.
The women's top runners will include Tina Tremmel of Germany, Sonia O'Sullivan of Ireland, Benita Johnson of Australia and the Kenyan trio of Leah Malot, Susan Kurui and Tegla Loroupe.
The organizers are also expecting top runners from Asia, except China, which has decided to skip the tournament because the date clashes with the Chinese New Year anniversary. Other countries have yet to confirm whether they will be sending their representatives to the competition.
"We will find out before January 10," Tigor Tanjung, secretary-general of the Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association (PASI), said.
Local contenders will be spearheaded by the top ten national runners, including I Gede Karang Asem, Ferry Junaedy, Osias Kamlase, Agus Prayogo and Susmarjono in the men's category.
Ruwiyati, Ferry Subnafeu, Debora Galajinjinai, Oliva Sadi and Derni Bantefin will lead in representing Indonesian female runners.
"It's a good opportunity for national athletes to gauge their strength against their international peers," said Tigor.
Bali also hosted the 1987, 1988 and 1999 10K competition before the event moved to Borobudur, Central Java, for the following three years.
Jakarta hosted the events in 1993 and 1994. It was in 1994 that Addis Ababa of Ethiopia won the tournament and a bonus of Rp500 million for his new world record.