18000 runners to race in Mexico City marathon

The organizers of the 30th Mexico City International Marathon said Tuesday they expected about 18,000 runners to participate in the race. With 13 days still to go, Mexico City Sports Institute (IDDF) Director Francisco Javier Lopez told a press conference that 13,000 runners from 14 countries had already registered for the Sept. 2 race. Lopez said 10,000 runners were expected to take part in the full marathon and another 8,000 in the half-marathon, including top-tier athletes from Kenya, Brazil, Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Guatemala, the Netherlands and Japan. The little over 42-kilometer route will begin and end at the city's main square, the Zocalo, and take in some 20 monuments, museums and other major landmarks along the way. The Zocalo, located 2,229 meters above sea level, will be the route's lowest point, with the highest point at kilometer 15, in the city's central Chapultepec Park, at 2,286 meters above sea level. The winner of the men's and women's categories will receive a prize of 350,000 pesos (27,000 US dollars), with an additional bonus of 150,000 pesos (11,500 US dollars) if he or she breaks the record of 2 hours, 12 minutes and 11 seconds for men, and 2 hours, 38 minutes and 24 seconds for women.