LAHORE, Jan 20: Ian Ladbrooke, the director of Lahore Marathon, on Friday imparted training to the participants in the event to be held here on Jan 29. Mr Ladbrooke was assisted by assistant director Rupinder Singh and secretary AIMS Hugh Jones, the international body that organizes and coordinates marathons the world over.

He found a lot of enthusiasm for the race, especially among the school children, after holding the training sessions.

The British coach said overall awareness and response about the race was far great than that of the last year.

He said the event might have more impact and involvement of local population than in a cricket match.

He noticed that athletics and health culture was taking root in the public.

Mr Jones, who had arrived to re-measure and certify the race routes said he was happy to be back in Pakistan and quite impressed with the progress made so far to hold the event.

Mr Singh said there was a considerable improvement in the overall environment for athletics and health culture in Pakistan which was nonexistent in the past.

He said after last year’s marathon the local population, and notably children, were now eagerly looking forward to the coming race.

He expected more participations as compared to 17,000 registered for the last year competition.