Bello Omar Marathon returns with four events and cash prizes

Author: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang

Palau Koror — The second Belau Omal Marathon will be held in Ernguul Park in two weeks, on September 1. The event offers four race options, each with a different route and entry fee.

• Full Marathon: It starts at 2 a.m. and the registration fee is $50.
• Half Marathon: It starts at 4 a.m. and costs $40.
• 10km run: It starts at 4:30 a.m. and costs $10.
• 5km run: It starts at 4:35 a.m. and costs $5.

All races will start at Ernguul Park. The 5km runners will start at Ernguul Park and head to Ngerbechedesau where they will turn around at Katie’s Healing Garden and finish at PNCC in Koror. The 10km runners will head to the Koror side of the Palau-Japan Friendship Bridge (PJF) and then return to the PNCC to finish.

Half marathon runners will start at Ernguul Park, turn around on the Koror side of the PJF Bridge and head towards Meyuns. After turning in front of Sarah’s Yum Yum restaurant, they will continue to Malakal, turn around again at the Marine Law office and return to Ernguul Park.

Full marathon runners will complete two half marathon segments. All runners must run on the right side of the road at all times.

Registration can be done online via a link or QR code on the Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) website. The link and QR code are also shared on social media.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top five runners in the men’s and women’s half and full marathons. The half marathon will receive $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place. The full marathon will receive $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place, $1,000 for third place, $750 for fourth place, and $500 for fifth place.

The last Omar Marathon attracted more than 500 participants, including international runners from Asia, Europe and even as far away as Swaziland in Africa.

The Omar Marathon route was officially certified by World Athletics Road Running Course Surveyor Mr Jarrod Gibson last June with support from Australia.

“The Palau Media Council’s ‘Summer of Health and Wellness’ highlights healthy and holistic activities in Palau, including government health programs, Team Palau exercise programs, Palau NGO events, and the upcoming Omar Marathon in September. Summer of Health and Wellness is a Healthy Palau, Healthy Initiative to conduct locally funded NCD prevention and health promotion programs.”

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