PRESS RELEASE: Timor-Leste elite runners prepare for 2012

Díli, 18 February - The President of the Republic, Dr José  Ramos-Horta today invited Timorese athletes to participate in the 2012 National Selections Race.  The 21 km. selection race will be held later this month on the 25 th of February but in the meantime Timor-Leste's top male and female runners, Agusto Ramos Soares and Juventina Napoleaon, are on their way to the Tokyo Marathon with the hope of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics. The 2012 National Selections Race gives the opportunity to the top twelve Timorese runners (six women and six men) to receive special support from the National Athletics Federation and the Office of the President to assist them in preparation for the third Dili Marathon. All eyes are on runners Agusto and Juventina though, in their crucial race in Japan: which decides whether they make the cut for the London Olympics. The runners will be the first Timorese to ever race in the Tokyo marathon, which is one of the biggest in Asia. Thanks to Dentsu Sports Asia they will also meet former Olympian Ms. Yuko Arimori of Japan (who will receive an official invitation from the President of the Republic to attend the 2012 Dili marathon) and they will also get the chance to stay on in Japan for a few days following the race, being hosted by Japanese familys. The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate proudly announced the 'Run for Peace', an initiative to "build bridges through sports, to build peace in the country, to build fraternity between this country, our people, and peoples around the world. Our athletes show the world that Timor-Leste has regained peace, tranquility, safety. They are also examples to their peers and their nation of what dedication, tenacity and self belief can bring as rewards. The Dili Marathon will involve over 10,000 youth and adults in a celebration of peace, international friendship and athletic excellence and I hope that in the future these numbers will grow".  The President went on to invite all runners, "Timorese and fellow friends from [around the world], wherever you are, to come and join us in our beautiful island, island of peace, island of friendship'. Runners of all levels are encouraged to join the 2012 Dili Marathon, which features a half-marathon (21km), 10km and 5km events in addition to the grueling 42.195km headline distance. Registration for the event opens on 12 March. See the related video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ElTQSdZzCE Visit the official website: www.dilimarathon.com for more info. Event Enquiries: please contact Sean Borrell, PR Manager, via email borrellsean@hotmail.com or phone (+670) 738 2208

Timorese women bring it home

The President of the Republic, Dr José Ramos-Horta sent the half and full marathon runners off at 6:30am. 3h08:28 later, Juventina Napoleao, last year’s champion female, defended her title with a sterling finish. Among the men Sammy Kiptoo of Kenya was victorious with a course record time of 2h20:06, beating out local hero Augusto Ramos Soares who set his own personal best with 2h31:54. Read More

Timorese national squad up for the challenge

Dili, 17 June (PPT) Since the national selections in March, 10 male and 10 female runners have been living, eating and training under the guidance of the National Athletics Federation. The squad has been formed for a second year running and is once again supported by the Sunrise Joint Venture. Read More

International Marathon ramping up in Dili

More and more support banners are going up, foreign runners are trickling in, locals are getting to the business end of their training, school kids are getting excited for their Saturday morning off and Dili-based politicians, ambassadors and sponsors are all getting ready to attend the biggest local running event of the year. Read More

Dili ‘City of Peace’ Marathon Establishes Major International Partnerships

The Dili ‘City of Peace’ International Marathon has established partnerships with two major international athletic organisations; New York Road Runners (producers of the ING New York City Marathon) and the Monaco-based Organisation for Peace and Sport. These two separate partnerships will continue to promote the message of peace and unity in Dili as well as provide capacity building of local athletic organisations. Read More

2011 Dili Marathon Online Registration Opens Soon

Online registration for Dili Marathon will open on Monday 21 March 2011 International participants can register for any of the three events; full marathon, half marathon or 7km fun run using our easy-to-use online registration system. Discounted flights are available from Darwin to Dili with Airnorth and Singapore to Dili with Air Timor. This offer will appear at the end of the online registration process as an enquiry form.

Kenyan runner wins historic Marathon for Peace in Dili

Philimon Rotich, of Kenya, takes home USD$5 000 following his historic win of the first Dili Marathon. The Kenyan had set a strong early pace passing the half-way point in 01:10 and completed the course in a final time of 02:34:57. Mr Rotich said “I would love to come back next year to participate. I found the course pretty straightforward and didn’t experience too many problems. The biggest challenge was the heat. It got very hot”. He went on to say: “The race was very well organized and the Timorese people who supported the race around the course were fantastic – the one thing that I hope is that a Timorese can win the event next year.” Read On

Over 1000 runners from 28 countries prepare for Dili Marathon

President of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, José Ramos-Horta, today has announced: “It is my honour to welcome, on behalf of the State, all of our participants and supporters of the first Dili Marathon. This is an inaugural event, which will help place Timor-Leste in its rightful place on the world stage.” The President went on to say “We have 28 nationalities represented in the race with over 1000 runners participating. We are also honoured to have Rosa Mota, who is the most famous woman marathon runner of all time, joining me to walk the 5 km course tomorrow. The Dili Marathon will be an incredible experience for everyone involved. As an annual event it will show the world that Timor-Leste’s doors are open and its people are ready to welcome visitors to this beautiful nation.” Read More

President Ramos-Horta welcomes Rosa Mota to Dili Marathon

Portuguese athlete Rosa Mota, who has won the Boston Marathon three times, the World Championships and the Olympic Gold in this event arrives at the Nicolau Lobato International Airport on Tuesday the 15th of June, on the invitation of H.E. the President of the Republic. Read On