T

he organizers of the BII Maybank Bali Marathon say all preparations for the annual race have been completed and 4,500 runners are ready to be welcomed for Sunday'€™s run.

Project manager Satyo Haryo Wibisono guaranteed that the marathon route for the four categories would be safe for participants, thanks to the support of the local community and local administration, which had enthusiastically welcomed the return of the prestigious event.

'€œThe route for this year'€™s race is the same as last year. Runners will be passing through 22 banjar [customary hamlets], with a combination of flat roads and rolling hills along the course, and the refreshing atmosphere of Balinese traditional villages. We have conducted a final check on the route and everything is well prepared,'€ he said.

Along the course, the organizers have provided some locations for the runners to rehydrate. Ambulances have also been prepared. The routes have been certified and endorsed by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

Tigor Tanjung, secretary-general of the Indonesian Athletics Federation, said the race was organized in accordance with the regulations of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

'€œIn accordance with the IAAF, we have a mission that all running competitions in Indonesia should be in compliance with the regulations, including ensuring safety for the participants,'€ he said.

Held in Gianyar regency since 2012, the race will feature four categories: a full marathon (42.2 kilometers), a half marathon (21.1 km), a 10-km run and a children'€™s sprint. For the full marathon, half marathon and 10-km run, there will be an open category and an Indonesian category.

In this race, participants will compete for total prizes worth US$150,000, which will be divided between 88 winners.

Taking Bali Safari and Marine Park as the start and finish point, the race will commence at 5 a.m. local time for the full marathon category, followed by the half marathon that will start at 5:30 a.m. and the 10-km run 30 minutes later. Participants in the children'€™s sprint will start competing at 8:30 a.m.

Among last year'€™s winners having confirmed their return to the event is Kenya'€™s international runner Lilan Kennedy Kiproo, who is looking for a hat trick after winning the full marathon category in 2012 and 2013.

Another Kenyan long-distance runner, Luke Kibet, who won first prize in the half marathon category in 2012 and second prize in last year'€™s race in the same category, is stepping up his challenge this year by joining the full marathon.

Kenyan female runner Elizabeth Jeruiyot Chemweno is seeking redemption in this year'€™s full marathon category after being defeated by Ethiopia'€™s Meseret Mengistu Biru last year.

Some national runners that won last year will also return to compete in the Indonesian categories of full marathon, half marathon and 10-km run.

The 10-km run is the most popular category, with the number of participants reaching 2,000 out of the total 4,500 runners.

'€œThe number of participants for the other three categories '€” the full marathon, half marathon and children'€™s sprint '€” has seen a remarkable increase on last year,'€ Satyo said.

In this year'€™s event, BII will continue its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program '€œBII Berbagi'€, which is held in conjunction with the race, to appreciate support from the local community.

A ceremony to give a donation was held on Saturday at the Balai Budaya Gianyar, attended by BII'€™s executive committee and directors, as well as students from state elementary school SD 1 and 3 Abianbase.

'€œWe realize that the BII Maybank Bali Marathon cannot be successfully held without support from the Gianyar community. As a token of appreciation of the local community, especially those along the course of the race, we will carry out our CSR through the '€˜BII Berbagi'€™ program,'€ BII president director Taswin Zakaria said.

BII has committed to supporting education and student talent in the arts, especially in painting, by holding painting competitions for students from 24 elementary schools along the course, as well as donating sports and art equipment to the schools. The bank also donated funds to 75 students who created the best paintings.

The selected 130 paintings were showcased on the website balimarathon.com, on social media, as well as during the Race Expo held at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort and around the location of the race.

The best 30 paintings were then offered in an auction held during a dinner of race participants on Saturday night, with all proceeds to be donated to support education programs in the regency.

During the race on Sunday, BII will also engage the community and students along the route to encourage runners to push themselves to the limit in the race.