Bigger in terms of the number of participants and better with regards to the packaged experience it offers to the local and international runners. As Mr. Dong Chang Jeong, the Seychelles’ Honorary Consul General and marathon’s initiator, puts it “we need to upgrade and not take steps backward.”
The souvenir t-shirt that will be handed to each athlete upon completing the eco-friendly marathon will be a durable one of premium quality, in fact the best since the marathon’s humble beginnings back in 2008. The Adidas-branded orange t-shirts will absorb and dry out sweat quickly, a plus considering the hot Seychelles climate. As for the officials, theirs will be blue.
It has only been a matter of weeks since the competition has been launched, and already it looks like the 3,000 participants target will be met, with Vijay Construction confirming 67, one school alone 120, and other schools around the islands promising at least 50 students each.
UK-based Seychellois triathlete, Simon Brierley, has shown an interest in participating and so have three marathoners from Kenya, but they are still at the negotiating stage.
Through the close diplomatic ties between Seychelles and South Korea, partly brought about by the eco-friendly marathon, the marathon’s organizing committee along with schools will be benefiting from a sponsorship of 75 desktop computers, early in May.
A considerable press delegation will be flocking to Mahé for the event which has been scheduled for Sunday, February 22. The press representatives from China, Hong Kong, and Italy will also include a South Korean TV crew representing one of the top two travel programs in their country.
The 8th edition of the Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon will set off from Beau Vallon at 7a m for the marathon and half marathon, and 8 am for the 5 km and 10 km, covering northern and northeastern areas of the main island of Mahé, as well as its capital, Victoria.
The marathon will culminate in a Korean-themed gala dinner at the Berjaya Beau-Vallon Bay Hotel where winners will be receiving their prizes from sponsors, and four Korean string musicians will provide entertainment for the night.
“Seychelles eco-friendly marathon has turned into a festival – an excellent platform for everybody to join for their personal health and happiness. This year, we are targeting 3,000 participants, but for the 10th edition in two years’ time, we’ll be targeting 5,000,” says Julie Kim, Mr. Jeong’s assistant.
So join in, as a single run can take you many places, and that is what the eco-friendly is all about – competing while taking in the Seychelles’ amazing sights and sounds and breathing in the fresh breeze.
Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .
