Colombo Marathon set for 7 Oct.

The Colombo Marathon, now in its 18th iteration, returns in all its glory this October, bigger and better than ever before, as some 10,000 runners are expected to descend on the streets of Colombo for the iconic event.

The marathon is set to start at 6.00 a.m. near the BMICH in Colombo 7 and will continue from Colombo to the Negombo Beach Park. While the event was initially expected to take place solely in Colombo, logistical concerns have seen the route for the Full Marathon extended further north. 

Starting from Bauddhaloka Mawatha, runners will pass through Borella, Dematagoda, Peliyagoda, Wattala along the Hamilton Canal, Pamunugama, Thalahena, Pitipana and Doowa, before eventually concluding in Negombo.

The Colombo Marathon as usual will have several event categories catering to any and all interested runners: Full Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.097 km), Veteran (50 and above), Full Marathon and Half Marathon, Fun Run (15 and above) 10 km and 5 km, and a School Fun Run 5 km for school kids.

The 5 km and 10 km Fun Runs will end in Orugodawatte - last year had seen a special circular route mapped out within the Colombo city limits for those runs, however, traffic concerns have seen that route shelved for the moment.

Lanka Sportreizen is once again organising the event, which is expected to cost nearly Rs. 25 million, of which Rs. 2.5 million will go towards the prize pool. Under the stewardship of LSR, the Colombo Marathon has gained both Association of International Marathons and Distance Running (AIMS) and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) certification. It also has its own spot on the global marathon calendar on the first Sunday of October.

The event is being supported by the Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Tourism, the Western Provincial Council, Negombo Municipal Council and other relevant municipal councils, Athletic Association of Sri Lanka, relevant Pradeshiya Sabhas, Sri Lanka Police and Print and Electronic Media organisations.

For registration and more information about the event you can visit www.colombomarathon.com. Facebook: www.facebook.com/LSRColomboMarathon.