Half-marathon to celebrate centenary celebration of SLA
President SLA Maj. Gen. Palitha Fernando (3L) receives the sponsorship cheque from Bandula Egodage (4L), Vice President Nestle - Pic by Akila Jayawardana
To mark its centenary year celebrations, Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) will conduct a half-marathon with Nestles’ Nestomalt coming in as the main sponsor, on January 22.
The 21kilometre half marathon will set off from Diyatha Uyana near Battaramulla and complete at the same vicinity after going through a course covering Etul Kotte, Pitakotte, Pagoda Road passing Nugegoda Super Market towards High Level Road, from where it will be run towards Pannipitiya passing Maharagama. From there the runners will turn towards Borella Road to Thalawathugoda and Battaramulla before reaching the finishing line.
SLA President, Major General (Rtd) Palitha Fernando confirmed that the organisers expect at least 250 athletes to take part with over 120 entries already received. In addition 15 athletes representing Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Nepal have confirmed their participation, as mark of solidarity towards SLA in celebrating its 100th year.
“We are the third oldest affiliation of International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) from the Asian region. SLA’s journey towards its 100th year was never a rosy path, we faced many challenges while also claiming medals at international stage, including two silvers at the Olympics Games. We can be proud as one of the productive sports bodies of Sri Lanka,” Maj. Gen. Fernando told reporters.
In addition to the half marathon, which flags off at 6.00a.m. next Saturday, SLA has also organised a health run of five kilometres, from the same starting point. This run will turn towards Parliament Road and take a left turn at the next junction of three bridges, and move on to Battaramulla, where it ends.
“The expected finishing time for a male runner is around an hour and five to 10 minutes, and we expect the first female runner to finish the course around in one hour and 15 to 20 minutes. All runners are expected to complete the run within two hours from the start,” Fernando added.
SLA was established on January 22 in 1922 as Amateur Athletics Association of Sri Lanka and was renamed recently with its half marathon day completing the 100 years. SLA has been closely associating with main sponsors Nestomalt for over three decades by organising the country’s biggest marathon event famously known as Nestomalt Marathon.
Initially the closing date for the half marathon was set as January 12, but the organisers have extended that to January 20. All protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and government officials with regard to COVID-19 prevention will be adhered by SLA, but its President stated that tests would not be conducted on the race day.
“Participating athletes should take that responsibility, and provide the organisers with records of an approved PCR test prior to the event. All other areas will be conducted strictly following health guidelines issued by the government,” he explained.
Sri Lanka Police will assist SLA in navigating the runners, crowd and traffic controlling, and its spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa told reporters that what is expected in athletes and others involved with the halfmarathon, is discipline.
“We know that sports events are held throughout the country and all over the world, but it is easy and possible when everyone involved including athletes, officials and spectators, act with decency and with self discipline. It is the only way we can move forward in conducting sports events, and we expect that from all involved on January 22,” SSP Thalduwa said.
Officials representing SLA, sponsors Nestle` and Sri Lanka Police were present at the media briefing held on Thursday at the CR&FC at Longdon Place.