REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SLEMAN -- Runners from 14 countries will reportedly participate in the "Merapi Marathon 100K" organized by the National Sports Council on May 7-8, 2016, to commemorate the district's centenary anniversary, according to a spokesman.

"Currently, runners from 14 countries are scheduled to participate in the Merapi Marathon, both in the 100-kilometer (km) and 50-km categories," Event Manager of the "Merapi Marathon 10K" Ridwan Taufiq stated here on Tuesday.

The earlier target was to attract one thousand runners to participate in the five-km, 13-km, 20-km, 50-km, and 100-km categories.

"The participants' interest is quite high, and until now, we have received more than 1.6 thousand applications, so we have closed the registration. However, the registration is still open only for the 50-km and 100-km categories," Taufiq remarked.

The number of participants is expected to further increase as 332 students from middle and high schools in Sleman will also take part in the event.

"They have been intentionally invited to enliven the event. We did not take any (registration) fees from the students; it is free for them," Taufiq added.

According to Taufiq, the marathon's route will cover some extreme terrain on the slopes of Mount Merapi.

Taufiq stated that the marathon will offer a total prize money of Rp104 million.

The marathon is also a form of "sports tourism," which is expected to draw the interest of tourists to witness the event.

"Some of the runners, who will participate in this event, have won championship titles in marathons held in several Indonesian regions. Some champions will participate in the Ultra Marathon race, such as the Trans Sumbawa champion, who has already confirmed to participate in the event," Taufik added.

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