Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong (right) launching the marathon using a smart phone.
MIRI: Next year’s 2nd Sarawak Marathon Miri will keep up the momentum for sports tourism which is spurring an increase of tourist arrivals in the state, towards which the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) will play a positive role , particularly Miri although tourism is not their core business.
Chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee said although tourism is not its main activity, SSC — partnering with Asia Tourism Alliance (ATA), Sarawak State Sports Council, Meritz Hotel and Bintang Megamall — hopes to contribute towards development of the Miri tourism industry through the marathon.
The organising committee also has the support from Marlene Lim, pharmacist of ML Maju Pharmacy who is also the health director of the event.
“Marathon is now getting more popular with more people taking up running. A lot of both sports and non-sports organisations also organised more of this running event,” he said at the launch of the second edition of Sarawak Marathon Miri 2016,” yesterday.
The first edition held in Bintulu in March this year met with a good response of 800 runners including around 300 foreigners.
“The primary objectives of organizing this event in Miri is to promote the city as a sports tourism destination, leveraging on sporting event to draw more sport tourists to Miri and to other parts of the state,” he added.
Miri is already a popular shopping and food destination for Bruneians, it is hoped that the marathon will compliment the effort made by Miri City Council, Sarawak Tourism Board and Tourism Malaysia in promoting tourism activities in and around Miri.
Meanwhile, president and CEO of Asia Tourism Alliance Kho Sze Min disclosed that the organizing committee will start working with local community and authorities immediately in ensuring the running routes and overall logistics of this event will meet international specifications. The running route will take into consideration various tourist attractions in the city as to make the marathon a memorable experience for outstation and overseas runners.
According to Kho, it will be held on May 15, 2016, which also part of Miri City Day programmes. There will be four running categories, namely a 42km full marathon, 21km (half), 10 km open and 5km fun run. Also present at the launch cum press conference was general manager of Meritz Hotel John Teo.
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