Sri Lanka Athletics to celebrate birthday with a half marathon

Centenary celebrations to begin in January

Sri Lanka Athletics is set to commence their centenary celebrations with a half marathon on its birthday in January. Sri Lanka’s track and field governing body which was then known as the Amateur Athletics Association, was affiliated to International Athletic Federation on January 22, 1922. The centenary anniversary of this important milestone in Sri Lanka Athletics will fall on January 22, 2022.

Sri Lanka Athletics said in a statement that it will celebrate this momentous occasion by organizing a series of events throughout the year 2022.

“The first event to be organized is the centenary half marathon which will be held on January 22, 2022,” Sri Lanka Athletics said in a statement.

“The half marathon which will start from Nugegoda, will route through Pannipitiya, Borella Road, Thalawathugoda, Baththaramulla Junction, Athul Kotte, Jubilee Post, and will finish opposite Nugegoda Public Market (near railway station). The half marathon is open for men and women above 18 years of age.”

Sri Lanka Athletics has invited competitors from all the South Asian countries to participate in this half marathon. The winners will be awarded attractive cash prices.

In addition, a 5 km race (“Health Run”) starting from Athul Kotte will also be held on the same day. The race will run through Jubilee Post and will finish opposite Nugegoda Public Market(near railway station). The race is open to anyone who is interested in participating in. All those who finish the race will be awarded a certificate of completion by Sri Lanka Athletics.

Entries for the half marathon will close on January 10, 2022. Entries should be sent to G.L.S. Perera, Vice President, No.33, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07.

Invitation for South Asian Cross Country Championship

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Athletics has received an invitation to take part in a South Asian Cross Country Championship to be held in Nagaland, India on January 15. The championships include four categories, namely, senior men and women and junior men and women.

As of yesterday afternoon, Sri Lanka Athletics had not taken a final decision regarding sending teams for the championships.

Sri Lanka Athletics Coaching Subcommittee which was to meet this week was scheduled to take a final decision. In the event of a positive decision trials will be held in the first week of December.