US$ 500,000 for World Record Breaker

Prize money of US$ 500,000 is being offered to anyone who can break the world record at the “Bali 10-K” which is currently held by Sammy Kepketer (Kenya) with the record time of 27 minutes 11 second. The competition will start on the Bypass in the south Sanur Resort area and end on Jl. Pantai Kuta, in front of the Istana Rama Hotel. The “Bali 10-K” Committee-in-chief, Kardaya Warnika said that the prize money is an incentive for some of the world’s top runners, such as Tegia Loroupe (third place in Casablanca 2002), Leah Malot (second place in Dusseldorf), Susan J. Kurui (third place in Goppingen), Hosean Kogo, Abraham Tondoi, and Tina Remmel, to join the competition. A number of ASEAN and Indonesian runners shall also take part.
According to the local committee, N. Budiarta, S.E., who is also the chief of the Indonesian Athletic Association - Bali Branch, 15 thousand runners are hoped to join this competition. This event is supported by the Governor of Bali and will have full security coverage.
It is hoped that this activity shall promote the tourism image of Bali, which has suffered following the bomb explosion in Kuta.. (*)

Megawati Waves the Flag at 7 a.m.

Denpasar –President Megawati Soekarnoputri is to wave the start flag for the Bali 10-K Competition, on Sunday, 2 February at 7 a.m. The President shall be accompanied by a number of ministers, including the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Purnomo Yusgiantoro. The VIP group will then move to the enpasar –President Megawati Soekarnoputri is to wave the start flag for the Bali 10-K Competition, on Sunday, 2 February at 7 a.m. The President shall be accompanied by a number of ministers, including the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Purnomo Yusgiantoro. The VIP group will then move to the Finish Line at Kuta Beach. “We have got confirmation that the President shall follow the whole program, from the start to the presentation of awards for the winners,” said N. Budhiartha, S.E., the local committee-in-chief.
The awards ceremony will be held on a stage close to the Istana Rama Hotel, overlooking the scenic Kuta Beach. Balinese music entertainment shall enliven the program. Since this competition is to promote Balinese Tourism, especially that in Kuta, they have chosen Kuta Beach as the location for the Finish Line. Budhiarta said that this event shall be covered by reporters from overseas including Australia. (*)

Registration from 15 January at KONI

Besides inviting international top runners, the Bali 10-K committee is also inviting national and local runners to join the competition. “Anyone may join this competition, including international tourists on vacation in Bali,” said N. Budhiarta, S.E., the local committee-in-chief, accompanied by his public relations staff, Riandi.
The registration for local runners shall be held in the KONI office, Jl. Melati Denpasar. “The registration is free, no payment,” said Budhiarta. The committee has limited the participants to 15.000 people. The local committee is also encouraging students to join the competition to gain experience. If the number of participants has reached the limit, registration will be closed.
The committee has prepared everything needed to make the Bali 10-K competition run smoothly. “From security to ambulances, all has been organized. Bali has experience in holding such international competitions,” said Budhiarta. For security, the committee not only asked assistance from the police but also the pecalang, local security.
To bring the accent of Balinese culture into this event, the committee has prepared more than 200 groups of beleganjur music. These groups shall be posted along the route to the Finish Line at Kuta Beach, to give spirit to the runners to reach the end. (*)

International Runners for Bali 10 K

Women
Top International Runners

1. Tegla Loroupe (KEN)
2. Leah Molen (KEN)
3. Sonia SO'Sullivan (IEL)

International Runners

1. Tina Tremmel (GER)
2. Susan Kurul (KEN)
3. Susi Power (AUS)
4. Benita Johnson (USA)

Men
Top International Runners

1. Sammy Kipketer (KEN)
2. John Korir (KEN)
3. Craig Motram (AUS)

Internaional Runners

1. Hosea Kogo (KEN)
2. Abrahan Tandoi (KEN)
3. Rinaldi Fabio (ITA)
4. Kari Keska (GER)