29 January 2005	Saturday	18 Zilhaj 1425

LAHORE, Jan 28: Sixty men and women runners from 16 countries have reached the city for the Lahore Marathon to be held on Sunday. Chief minister's task force on Lahore Marathon chairman Ghous Akbar said at a press conference here on Thursday.

He claimed that 6,000 athletes had confirmed their participation in the event which was an encouraging figures for the organizers. He said more international athletes would reach by Saturday.

The runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Ukraine, Russia, Tanzania, Uganda, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Britain, Zimbabwe, Bulgaria, India, South Korea and Germany had confirmed their participation, he said.

The Marathon comprises on three races - 6kms, 10kms and 42.195kms. All the races had different routes. A total $100,000 in prize money is at stake. He said celebrities like squash legend Jansher Khan, Lahore Nazim Mian Aamer Mahmood and provincial ministers had shown their interest in the 6km race.

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and Wasim Akram were also interested but they had changed their programme due to other pressing engagements, he said and added film actresses would also take part in the event. However, he did not disclose the names of actresses.

He said former Indian cricket team wicket keeper Syed Kirmani had also confirmed his participation in the race. Lahore SSP (operations) Aftab Cheema assured security to all the participants and fans standing along the routes of three races.

He said traffic on the roads of routes, specially of 42.195km would remain closed for two to three hours. Neither the media nor any other would be allowed to use the route of the races for coverage. Separate points along side the roads would be made for the journalists.

A leading woman athlete, Gitte Karlshoj of Denmark, who had the best timing of two hours 30 minutes in 42km Marathon, said she was happy to be in Lahore and found a pleasant weather.

Karlshoj said she could not train properly due to cold weather in her country but expressed the hope that she would get the top position. Russian Leonid Svetsov, who had the best timing of two hours nine minutes, said he had prepared himself well to win the top position in men.

DATE EXTENDED: Meanwhile, the organizers had extended the entry date till Saturday. All the races will start from Qadhafi Stadium. The route finalized for the main 42.195kms race is as under:

Qadhafi Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Mozang Chungi, Chauburji Bahawalpur Road, the Lower Mall, MAO College, Data Darbar, Minar-i-Pakistan. From Minar-i-Pakistan the runners will come back via Lahore Fort, Government College, Punjab University, The Mall, Lahore Canal (The Mall underpass), Ferozepur Road, Kalma Chowk, Model Town Morr, back to Kalma Chowk to Qadhafi Stadium.

The 10kms race's route is; Qadhafi Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore Canal, The Mall Underpass and return through the same route. The 6kms race, in which mostly the local people showed interest, after the starting point will reach Main Market Gulberg through Main Boulevard, and return through the same route.

SECURITY PLAN FOR RACE

LAHORE, Jan 28: Over 5,000 police officials have been deployed for Lahore Marathon. Lahore operations police chief Aftab Cheema finalized a security plan in a meeting attended by senior officials, including the Lahore traffic police chief.

Mr Cheema said that eight SPs and 60 DSPs were among the force deployed. He said that two control rooms had been set up for coordination among the officials.

Besides, he said that accommodation provided to foreign participants in the race would be well guarded and they would also be given a security cover while travelling around the city.

The traffic police chief informed the meeting that the Ferozpur Road, The Mall, Lower Mall and Ferozepur Road would be closed to traffic on Jan 30 at some points. Tongas, animal-driven carts and three-wheelers on these roads will not ply on Jan 29 and 30, he said.