The Olympians Run 2018 was held in Kandy on Friday by the Sri Lanka Olympians (SLO) in celebration of the International Olympic Day which fell yesterday.
The SLO is made up of past Sri Lankan athletes and has been set up to rival the National Olympic Committee (NOC) who will conduct a separate Olympic Day Run on June 25.
An organising official claimed that the event was programmed for the participation of 2000 participants but the turnout exceeded 2700 participants.
He said that over 1500 students from various schools in the Central Province took party along with personnel from the armed services, youth movements, university students and other sports enthusiasts.
The 4.5km run was flagged off at the Bogambarra Ground and ended at Getambe Ground in Kandy.
The runners were ceremoniously waived off by Olympian Wimalasena Perera to mark the start of the event. Marathon runner, Olympian Wimalasena represented Sri Lanka at the Olympics almost 50 years ago. The event also brought together close to 30 Olympians from all around the island.
The Sri Lanka Olympians (SLO) is headed by Sriyani Kulawansa while the secretary is Damyanthi Darsha.