Over 7000 to contest Colombo marathon

The LSR Colombo Marathon that is a stepping stone for future runners will be held on October 4 with 7500 runners expected to contest of which 170 will be from overseas.

The event, introduced by Lanka SportSportreizen a leading travel agency, is now in its 15th year and has come to stay as one of the most looked forward to events in the Island's athletics calendar.

Geethani Ratnasekera who won the 2014 Colombo Marathon with a new Sri Lanka record is a classic case in point. She is tipped to represent the country at the 2016 Olympics .

The AIMS (Association for Marathons And Distance Races) the goverrning body for long distance running has granted voting rights to the Colombo Marathon making it one of the 56 races that has been given recognition out of the 110 races conducted around the globe.

The race is conducted with the assistance of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka who will provide technical assistance.

The route will be through Borella, Dematagoda, Peliyagoda, Wattala along the Hamilton Canal, Pamunugama, Thalahena, Pitipana Duwa to the Beach Park in Negombo.

The full Marathon which covers 42 kms will be for men and women above 18 years while the half Marathon will be for runners of 17 years and above.

-(RA)