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AKARTA: Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) Maybank will organize the first international marathon in the country after years of absence on April 22 in Bali.

About 3,500 participants, both professional and beginner runners, are expected to take part in the open marathon, called the BII Maybank Bali Marathon, which features full marathon (42.19 kilometers), half marathon (21.09-km) and 10-km races.

“It will be exciting … a great event for Bali and Indonesia, because participants will enjoy countryside scenery. It won’t be just main road, but you will also see paddy fields, kampongs, and [Balinese] gamelan [traditional music] as well as dancers during the marathon,” organizer Barbara Oravetz told a press conference on Friday in Jakarta.

BII Maybank acting president director Rahardja Alimhamzah said that the bank offers US$20,000 in prize money for the marathon champ as well as $10,000 for the 10-km race winner.

“We hope that it won’t be our first and last event to host. We’re seeing a possible long-term future to organize this marathon,” he said.

Jakarta-based avid runner Reza Puspo appreciated organizers’ effort in promoting running in Indonesia, which for now is a relatively unpopular sport.

“As far as I know, Jakarta had a marathon event during [former] president Soeharto’s regime, but it was a long time ago. If Singapore managed to host an event that drew up to 60,000 runners from around the world, I believe Indonesia will also be able to do it,” said founder of the capital-based running community, Indo Runner.

The marathon will take place in Gianyar and Denpasar. Visit www.balimarathon.com for more info on the event.