Over 1,000 competitors for International Run for Peace

ATHLETICS: Over one thousand competitors will take part in the International Run for Peace which will be worked off in Colombo on October 1 (Sunday).

The Chief Co-ordinator of the Run Martin Binder addressing a press briefing at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports yesterday said that the run will consist of a 21 kilometre marathon for men and women and two mini marathons of 10 and five kilometres for boys and girls respectively.

He said that in addition to the local athletes over 200 foreign competitors from Germany, Austria, Italy, Sweden, England, USA and Thailand will take part in the run which is being organised by the Asian-German Sports Exchange Programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

He said that the run will begin at Independence Square and end at Race Course Grounds, Reid Avenue.

The men's and women's winners of the 21 kilometre marathon will receive a cash award of Rs. 25,000 each while the first and second runner-up will receive Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 respectively.

The winner of the 10 kilometre run will receive a cash award of Rs. 15,000 while the second and third placed will receive Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 5,000 respectively. The National Lotteries Board, Holcim Cement and Pricewater Cooper have come forward to sponsor the event.

The Chairman of the National Sports Council Saman Amarasinghe said that the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Jeevan Kumaranatunga is extending his maximum support to the run which would help to bring about friendship and understanding between athletes from different countries. It would also help in the government's efforts to bring about ethnic harmony and peace to the country.

The Chief Executive of the Asian German Sports Exchange Programme Dietmar Doering thanked the Deputy Director of Sports Dervin Perera for giving his maximum support to make the run a success. He said that sports helps people to take up victory and defeat in the same spirit. The AGSEP organised a successful national run for peace in 2004 in which over 500 athletes from the Northern Province took part.

This year's run was organised with the intention of bringing about ethnic harmony and to stress the importance of peace. The International Run for Peace will also help to promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination as they will be organising sightseeing tours for the foreign competitors after the run.

The Deputy Director of Sports Dervin Perera was also present at the press briefing.