Dili "City of Peace" Marathon

This major international event will attract an estimated 500 international participants, who will join approximately 1000 Timorese  runners and a large portion of the expatriate community living in Dili. "The 'Marathon for Peace' will be a landmark event for Timor-Leste and a great personal challenge for all who participate," the Head of State said.

In addition to the gruelling 42.195km headline distance, the event will feature a half marathon (21.097km), as well as 10km and 5km fun run events, to encourage youth and recreational runners to participate.

The course will wind its way through the diverse bairos (neighbourhoods) of Dili, showcasing the key landmarks of the city, and involving the whole community as spectators, volunteers and participants.

The marathon is a dynamic new addition to the President's 'Dili - City of Peace' initiative, designed to foster peace and harmony in the city, and strengthen communities by engaging them in cooperation and problem-solving in the organisation of the event.

The event will provide opportunities for participation at the grassroots and elite levels, fostering new levels of athleticism in the community. A national marathon squad will be selected in March, and provided with intensive training and support in the three months leading up to the race. The team will be supported by the National Athletics Federation, led by Timor-Leste's first female Olympic marathon runner, Aguida Amaral.

Furthermore, it is hoped that this world-class event will launch Timor-Leste onto the international running calendar, showcasing the country as an ideal destination for a large cohort of sports and adventure tourists. The President invited all athletes to share the vision and ideals of the event, "I look forward to welcoming athletes from around the world in this celebration of peace, international friendship and athletic excellence".

In particular, the Head of State encouraged the business community to get involved, "I encourage our friends and partners in the business community, both international corporations and local companies, to join together with Timor-Leste to present a truly world-class event."

The website www.dilimarathon.com has just been launched with detailed information for participants, spectators, prospective sponsors, and the general community.

National Training Squad A squad will be selected based on selection trials held in March. The top 20-50 runners (depending on funding available) will spend 3 months at the Dili training centre (administered by the National Athletics Federation) for intensive coaching, nutrition, and team-building.Charity Program A program will be established to allow registered competitors to raise funds for a nominated charity operating in Timor-Leste. Selected charities will self-nominate and be chosen based on merit and good governance. It is hoped that through this program further money can be generated to be reinvested in the community, and further linkages and positive long-term relationships developed between source countries and Timorese organisations. A large Marathon Expo expo, open to the public, will be run all day on Saturday 19 June at the Merkao Lama. Here, registered participants collect their runner pack, and will circulate among numerous stalls for official supported, sponsors and post-event tourism operators, listen to motivational talks (in English and Tetum), and celebrity athlete appearances.

For all enquiries, please contact Jo Sampford, Assistant Director, on jo@dilimarathon.com or +670 7611 733.