Ipoh International Run expects to attract 12,000 participants

NewStaitsTimes - 6 April 2010

IPOH: The Ipoh International Run (IIR) is back, targeting more than 12,000 participants from all over the world this year.

Set for July 18, Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the run, which was in its 15th year, attracted more than 10,000 participants last year with runners from Japan, Kenya, Thailand, the Philippines, Britain, India, Hungary and Indonesia.

"We are confident they will return this year and we are also expecting runners from other countries.

"We will hold promotions at shopping malls, schools and other public places to woo more locals to join the run," he said yesterday, adding that publicity campaigns would also be online to encourage international athletes to participate.

The mayor also said the city council would be doing promotions in Medan, Indonesia, southern Thailand and Singapore.

"For this year, a total cash prize of RM96,750 will be on offer for the first 20 winners while 1,600 medals will be given to top participants in all 11 categories contested," he said, adding that students were encouraged to participate through their schools.

The top three schools with the highest participation will win prizes worth RM18,000 and cash prizes worth RM2,250.

Local participants can sign up for either the 10km or 21km run while the 5km and 7km runs are reserved for those between 13 and 18 years old.

Only the 21km run is open to international participants.

Registration fee is RM20 for adults for the 21km run and RM10 for the 10km open. The fee for junior participants is RM5 per person.

"In order to accommodate the huge number of visitors, the Ipoh City Council Sports Complex will be turned into a camping area."

For inquiries, prospective participants can contact the city council's IIR secretariat at 05-2083377.