Just a stone throw away from Bali’s western Jembrana tip, is Banyuwangi, East Java, a location that lately seems to be trying to really define itself as an international tourism destination.
Other than the big multi-billion rupiah luxury marina project in the works, Banyuwangi is trying to step out of Bali’s shadow with an an running event, the “Banyuwangi International Run,” which is scheduled for October 17.
“Banyuwangi has appeal for distance running, both intermediate and long distances, but it also has the potential for tourism with Ijen, Pulau Merah, and Air Terjun Jangir,” the founder of the running foundation, Sandiaga Uno, said on Tuesday, as quoted by Republika Online.
Uno says the event, with five and ten kilometer distances, plans to raise funds to go to providing cleft-lip surgeries to those in need in the local community, for free of charge. He additionally hopes this will become an annual event that continually bring attention and visitors to Banyuwangi.
The international run is aiming to have as much as 1,000 runner participate with prizes totaling up to Rp 100 million. So naturally, we can expect the Kenyans to make a clean sweep of the podium spots, as they have a tendency to dominate the races in Bali and Uno says some runners from Africa have confirmed their attendance of the race.
The registration period for this year’s run is from September 16 to October 13, 2015 and more information can be found here.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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