The much-awaited Pune International Marathon will be flagged off here on December 7, 2008.

The Pune International Marathon will be conducted by the Pune International Marathon Trust (PIMT) under the aegis of the Athletic Federation of India (AFI).

PIMT Chairman and city MP Suresh Kalmadi, who is also the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), today told a press conference that the event conducted as a ''Race against AIDS' will feature long distance runners from 23 countries. The annual event, having caught the imagination of the people will also have over 50,000 runners in various age groups for boys and girls, offering a total prize money of Rs 25 lakh.

The athletes from Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia, Sweden, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ukraine, Denmark, Germany, Slovenia, Scotland, Russia, Kazakistan, Pakistan, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Nepal, Slovkia, Sri Lanka, Australia, Mauritius and hosts, India will be taking part in this marathon.

Celebrities, Sports Stars, groups from various Industries, IT Companies, Builder groups, Educational Institutions, doctors, Defence Forces etc, have expressed their desire to participate in large numbers.

Race Against Aids
The Pune International Marathon Trust has decided to dedicate the International Marathon towards the cause of AIDS awareness. The Marathon is co-sponsored by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), Dept. of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India and the Pune Municipal Corporation. It is also supported by AVERT Society, MSACS and Emcure Pharmaceuticals.