|
www.bruneitourism.travel With nearly 2,500 local and foreign participants, the 1st Brunei Marathon, held last week, was flagged off from the grounds of the majestic Empire Hotel and Country Club by Her Royal Highness Princess Sarah on a pleasantly cool Sunday morning, with the top runners first off the block to run the 42km of what has been dubbed “the most grueling run in South East Asia”, as the race took the runners through a course comprising of flat tarmac, a beach section and a jungle portion up and down the hills of the Bukit Shahbandar nature park.
With African runners dominating the top 42km and 21km categories, the crowds cheered wildly when the 1st local Bruneian runner crossed the finish line in 5th position overall, ahead of a field of many more seasoned international marathoners who were vying for the top US$30,000 prize in the 42km full Marathon.
With Veterans, Students and “Fun Runners” making the rest of the field, enthusiastically supported by public and media, the race organizers, sponsors and sports and tourism officials declared satisfaction at what was a successfully organized 1st time event, vowing to make the race an annual occurrence in the Kingdom’s sports and tourism calendar, and to see it grow in time into one of the world’s most famous marathons.
Brunei Darussalam, a peaceful and wealthy kingdom on the northern shores of Borneo, is known for having one of the most pristine tropical rainforest environments anywhere, as well as for the pomp and opulence of its centuries old monarchy, steeped in ancient Malay traditions.
With easy international direct access through its Royal Brunei Airlines carrier and other regional airlines, and with an up-market product and image appealing to discerning travelers, Brunei is an exciting and safe new destination waiting to be discovered. |
