Thousands Runners to Participate in Wisata Bukitinggi Int'l 10 K

Bukittinggi, W Sumatera (Antara) - Thousands of runners, both local and international, will participate in the Wisata Bukittinggi (Bukittinggi Tourism) International 10 kilometer running championship on May 11. "The international runners from Australia, U.S., South Africa, Kenya, and some other countries will participate in this event," stated the chairman of the Wisata Bukittinggi International 10 K, Maderizal in Bukittinggi on Tuesday. The runners will be categorized into elite international, national, public, and students. The running's start and finish line are at Kanting Playing Field, and will pass some main tourism objects in Bukittinggi, such as Kampung Cino (Chinese Village), Jirek, Palolo. In order to hold such an international event, the Bukittinggi's local government has allocated Rp850 million from the regional budget allocation year 2014. Maderizal clarified that the fund was also supported by sponsorship, in forms of prizes, and not cash money. "PT Indosat (a state-owned company) will be the main sponsor and we strictly receive goods only," he reiterated. The Wisata Bukittinggi International 10 K championship is targeted to be held annually and will be recognized by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). "Hopefully it will be participated by world class runners," Maderizal noted. Therefore, the committee of Wisata Bukittinggi 10 K, which is a member of Indonesian Athletic Association (PASI), has attempted to attract the event by increasing its prize. (*)