TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Marathon promoter Ndang Mawardi, projected that the race will be included in the World Marathon Majors series, a running series offering a total of US$1 Million. Ndang said that Jakarta has the potency for it as the International Athletic Association Federation (IAAF) claimed that the Jakarta Marathon 2013 route is classified as Grade-A, as required in the World Major Marathon.
"Jakarta route has zero elevation level," said Ndang. "(Even) Boston Marathon has ups and downs in its route. Therefore, it is impossible for record breaking."
Other qualifications to fulfil, Ndang said, are related to the race administration in terms of spectators' enthusiasm, the number of participants, and the involvement of elite athletes. Ndang claimed that all of the requirements will be fulfilled in the next five years.
The World Marathon Majors consists of six races in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. Two other races in the series are the IAAF World Champion and Olympic Marathon.
GADI MAKITAN
