Eco-healing marathon to bring Seychellois and Koreans together |31 January 2009

Spectators cheering on athletes taking part in last year’s eco-healing marathon

The main sponsor of this year’s marathon is Sunyang Company Limited, a traditional Korean “Soju” (Korean liquor) manufacturing company.

However, besides Koreans and Seychellois, this year there will be other nationalities joining the run and the fun.

Like the last one, this marathon – the Sunyang Eco-Healing Seychelles Marathon -- will be complemented with other events to interest the public and visitors. This time the activities have been moved around to ensure a more beneficial interaction with the Korean culture.

The Sunyang Eco-Healing Seychelles marathon promotes Seychelles as an eco-friendly destination, which has already been shown by the preservation and conservation of 50% of the islands, with the rest being carefully developed to integrate environmental needs. 

To further promote Seychelles in this low season and make the event successful, the organisers have welcomed two top European travel agencies, Sports Tour International (UK) and Marathon Travel Club (Denmark), which specialise in tours to take part in marathons.

The runners will cover 42.195km along the northern coast of Mahe, and the best performers will receive gifts, souvenirs and medals. 

The race will be followed by a gathering at one of the most beautiful and popular beaches on Mahe, Beau Vallon Bay, where the competitors can relax after the intense physical activity. 

There will be special guests – top Korean musicians – who will entertain the public and help the competitors recover at a free, open-air mini concert which they will put on next to the beach.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a good swim and buy local products, including Creole food. The musicians will give another concert at the International Conference Centre, where local people are expected to join in the performance.

Before the marathon, on Valentine’s Day February 14, the eco-healing enthusiasts – runners, partners, supporters and even lovers – will enjoy a Korean evening at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Hotel.

The event will include Korean food and music, and the Korean guests will have the chance to mingle with the rest of the crowd.