Eco-Friendly marathon initiator Jeong calls on Minister Meriton |25 January 2013

Seychelles’ honorary consul for South Korea, Mr Jeong met Mr Meriton, who is also the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports, in his office at Oceangate House. Community development and sports principal secretary Denis Rose, National Sports Council (NSC) chief executive Alain Volcère and NSC’s manager marketing and promotion Giovanna Rousseau, who is also the race director, were present at the meeting.

Mr Jeong said he is happy the Eco-Friendly Seychelles Marathon has since its inception in 2008 gained in popularity among Seychellois and foreigners alike, but now wants it to be moved to the end of July.

“As of next year, the marathon will take place during the last weekend of the month of July. February is a bit hot here while July is much cooler, making it more ideal to run a marathon. Also, in February, a lot of foreigners are at work and it’s only in July that they begin to take their summer holidays,” said Mr Jeong.

Having completed 70 marathons (distance of 42.179km) in 38 countries and in some of the world’s big cities like London, Berlin, New York, Boston, Chicago, Beijing, Tokyo and Los Angeles, Mr Jeong said he is also happy the “Eco-Friendly Seychelles Marathon is achieving its aim of unifying the people of Seychelles, bringing tourists to the country and improving people’s health”.

Mr Jeong, who told Sports Nation in an interview in 2008 that strangely enough he sees himself as a Seychellois and whose hobby is marathon running, added that he is proud the Eco-Friendly Seychelles Marathon is now registered with the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (Aims) – a member-based organisation of more than 320 of the world’s leading distance races from over 95 countries and territories.

He added that new electronic timing system will be brought in next year for the seventh race.

During yesterday’s meeting, the idea of changing the course was raised as many runners have complained about the steepness of the Carana hill on the way back to Beau Vallon, but no final decision has been taken.

G. G.