Top long distance runners from 12 countries are likely to take part in the 19th Pune International Marathon to be held on December 19, chairman of Pune International Marathon Trust, Suresh Kalmadi said on Friday.

Top runners from Sri Lanka, Poland, Kenya, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Germany, Australia, Denmark, Mauritius and Nepal have so far confirmed their participation, Kalmadi, also the President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), told reporters in Pune.

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Around 30,000 runners are likely to take part in the annual event with the theme "Race against AIDS", he said adding the main feature of the event (42.195 kms for men and 21 kms for women) was a celebrity run stretching some 3.5 kms.

The total prize money to be offered to the winners of the marathon is Rs 10 lakh, Kalmadi informed.

The race will begin from Khandoji Baba Chowk and finish at Baburao Sanas ground.