By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
Koror, Palau — The 2nd Belau Omal Marathon is set to take place in two weeks on September 1, starting at Ernguul Park. The event offers four race options, each with a different route and registration fee.
- Full Marathon: Begins at 2 a.m. with a $50 registration fee.
- Half Marathon: Starts at 4 a.m. with a $40 fee.
- 10K Run: Begins at 4:30 a.m., costing $10.
- 5K Run: Starts at 4:35 a.m. with a $5 fee.
All races will begin at Ernguul Park. The 5K runners will head from Ernguul Park to Ngerbechedesau, where they will make a U-turn in front of Katie’s Healing Garden and return to finish in front of PNCC in Koror. The 10K course will take runners to the Koror side of the Palau-Japan Friendship (PJF) Bridge before heading back to finish at PNCC.
Half marathon participants will run from Ernguul Park, make a U-turn at the Koror side of the PJF Bridge, then proceed to Meyuns. After turning in front of Sarah’s Yum Yum restaurant, they will continue to Malakal, make another turn at the Marine Law office, and return to Ernguul Park.
Full marathon runners will complete the half marathon course twice. All participants are required to run on the right side of the road at all times.
Registration can be completed online through a link or QR code available on the Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) website. The link and QR code are also being shared on social media.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in the half and full marathons for both men and women. In the half marathon, prizes are $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third. The full marathon will award the top five finishers with $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second, $1,000 for third, $750 for fourth, and $500 for fifth.
The last Omal Marathon attracted over 500 runners, including international participants from Asia, Europe, and as far as Eswatini, Africa.
The Omal Marathon route was officially certified last June by Mr. Jarrod Gibson, a World Athletics Road Race Course Measurer, with the support of Australia.
“The Palau Media Council’s ‘Summer of Health and Wellness’ highlights healthy and holistic activities in Palau, including government wellness programs, Team Palau workout regimens, Palauan NGO activities, and the upcoming Omal Marathon in September. The Summer of Health & Wellness is a Healthy Palau, Healthy Initiative for locally-funded NCD Prevention and Health Promotion Programs.”