Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) today announced a prize pool worth Tk 73 lakhs for the winners of the upcoming BOA Marathon 2024 to be held on December 20 at the Jalshiri Abashon Project in Purbachal, Dhaka.

The country's Olympic body is going to organise the marathon with the Bangladesh Army for the first time. There will be several categories – half marathon [21.097km] for elite and professional male and female athletes, half marathon [21.097km] for amateur male and female athletes, 10km run for amateur male and female athletes and 10km run for veterans above 50 years (both male and female athletes).

Photo: BOA

BOA expects around 5000 athletes to take part in the event which will award about 93 athletes from all categories with cash prizes ranging from Tk 20,000 to Tk 2 lakhs, BOA announced at a press conference today.

The participants will have to enlist their names by paying participation fees of Tk 500 to Tk 700. BOA also unveiled the logo of marathon at the press conference.

BOA took the decision to hold the marathon at its executive committee meeting on November 16, with BOA president and Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman in chair.

"With the directives of BOA president general Waker-Uz-Zaman, we are going to arrange the marathon for the first time with the motto of integrating physical exercise to live a healthy life. We have a plan to organise the marathon at least two times a year," said BOA secretary general Syed Shahed Reza at the press conference at the BOA auditorium today.

BOA vice president Bashir Ahmed also informed that they would invite foreign athletes in BOA marathon in the future. BOA vice president Lt General (Rtd) Mainul Islam and BOA treasurer AK Sarker were also present on the occasion.