Athletics” 11th Eco-Friendly marathon |23 February 2018
Don’t run away from Sunday’s marathon challenge …
Running great Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the 1984 Olympic Games marathon, once said: “Don't run away from challenges, run over them.”
This is exactly what you are being called upon to do this coming Sunday February 25 when Seychelles hosts the 11th Eco-Friendly marathon.
The race will start at 7am at Beau Vallon, one of the most popular tourist areas in north Mahé.
Along with the marathon (42km), there will also be a half marathon (21km), 10km and 5km races.
The major part of the races will snake through the northern districts of Mahé ‒ Beau Vallon, Bel Ombre, Glacis and Anse Etoile ‒ while the marathon runners will run to Victoria before heading back the same way to finish the race at Beau Vallon.
Initiated in 2008 by Seychelles' Honorary Consul General for South Korea, Dong Chang Jeong, who also heads the Seychelles tourist office there, the Eco-Friendly marathon forms part of efforts to encourage the Seychellois population to exercise and stay healthy.
Other than its healthy aspect, the marathon serves as a promotion tool for Seychelles across the globe, especially among the more health-conscious travellers.
While the competitors will get to enjoy the extremely scenic course, those running the marathon will also endure some quite steep hills during the race, especially on the way back to the finish line.
Recognised internationally through the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) label, the Seychelles’ Eco-Friendly marathon is this year being organised jointly by the National Sports Council, the Creative Industries and National Events Agency (Cinea) and the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB).
According to the organisers, 4,000 locals and 500 foreigners will be taking part in the Seychelles Eco-Friendly marathon.
Among the foreign runners is Brent James Weigner, holder of the world record for running the most marathons in 150 countries.
Born in 1949, the three-time cancer survivor from the United States of America, who will be celebrating 50 years of running marathons this year, ran his first national marathon in 1968 at the age of 18 and ran his first international marathon in Mexico six years later (1974)
He has run on all seven continents 10 times (including Antarctica) and has run ultras in the North and South Pole. His goal last year was to run marathons in 30 countries and this year his contract is to run in 12 countries.
Almost 70 years, his goal is to run in 160 countries.
A wide range of prizes will be awarded to the top five category winners, and all runners who complete the race will also be awarded their official time certificate, a medal, and a t-shirt.
Winners of the half-marathon and marathon will receive their prizes during a ‘cultural night’ that will be held at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay hotel, in the evening of Sunday February 25, 2018.
The following is the full set of records across all distances and age groups.
Male records
5.5 km
Under-16: Kevin Haryba (21:25) 27.02.2011
Master 50+: Steve Sitco (23:05) 27.02.2011
10km
Junior: Samuel Ragiel Vidot (35:56) 15.02.2009
Senior: Roy Mougal (35:06) 24.02.2008
Master: Josue Victor (40:38) 24.02.2008
Half marathon
Under-18: Joshua Gabriel (1h39:43) 15.02.2009
Junior: Keddy Moustache (1h29:17) 27.02.2011
Senior: Michel Souris (1h24:27) 27.02.2011
Master: Herbert Adrienne (1h29:41) 15.02.2009
Marathon
Senior: Simon Labiche (2h37:38) 15.02.2009
Master: Simon Labiche (2h46:26) 27.02.2011
Female records
5.5km
Under-16: Natifa Philoe (25.09) 27.02.11
Master 50+: Vivienne Vadivello (31.60) 27.02.11
10km
Junior: Vania Godley (48:40) 24.02.2008
Senior: Ana Lisa Barra (43:07) 15.02.2009
Master: Vivienne Vadivello (49:28) 15.02.2009
Half marathon
Senior: Ana Lisa Barra (1h39:02) 28.02.2010
Master: Alexandra Kment (2h02:55) 15.02.2009
Marathon
Senior: Simone Japha (3h30:19) 15.02.2009
Master: Joanne Jones (4h09:45) 24.02.2008