One thousand athletes have registered for the Independence Marathon that will be run in Juba on Saturday.
United Agency Limited and the national ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports presented the South Sudan Independence Marathon to journalists, Bakhita radio reported.Event coordinator Mungoma Annie called on any interested person to register before the closing date to allow them organize the kits for every runner.
She said MTN South Sudan sponsors the events.
Ms Annie added that the marathon includes five, ten and 21 kilometre races.
She said about 1,000 people have registered from different institutions, teams, states and individuals.
Director General in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Edward Settimo said the ministry wanted to organize an inter-states competition but the austerity budget did not allow it to go ahead.
Mr Settimo said the marathon will be part of Independence Day annual programmes.
He added that after South Sudan joins the International Athletic Federation, the Independence Marathon will become an international event.
Runners in the Independence Marathon will be flagged off Saturday at 7:30 AM from Juba Football Stadium.