JAKARTA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's Sports and Youths Minister Imam Nahrawi said that a marathon event would be held in earthquake stricken Lombok island, aimed at restoring people's mental, which has been downed by series of strong earthquakes, thus resurrecting tourism in the destination island.
The minister said the event, called 2018 Mekaki Marathon, was slated for October 28, expected to be participated by at least 2,000 runners.
"This event was expected to motivate people in Lombok that they are strong (to continue their life after the earthquake). The event was also expected to restore international trust upon tourism in Lombok," the minister said in his office here recently.
Head of Lombok Island tourism office Ispan Junaidi, who was at presence, said that marathon would start from Mekaki Beach in southern part of Lombok, which is not affected by the earthquake.
The marathon would contend two classes of 5K and 10K, taking the route alongside Lombok's southern coastal line.
"The marathon would offer different side of Lombok, has different atmosphere. Locals were encouraged to participate so as to help recover mental of our brothers in Lombok which has been disrupted by the powerful earthquake," Island said.
He added that the organizing committee would present Mohammad Lalu Zohri, a young national sprinter from Lombok who recently seized champion in the U-20 World Championship in Finland for 100m men's sprint, in the marathon event.
