Varadero, Cuba,  (Prensa Latina) More than 1,000 runners are participating on Sunday in the second edition of the Varadero Half Marathon, which consists of 21- and 10-kilometer races.

With the presence of Mexican runner German Silva, winner of the New York Marathon in 1994 and 1995, the competition seeks to be approved by the North America and Central American Athletics Association.

The winner of the previous edition of the race, Kenya's Timothy Kiplagat, who clocked 1:03.53 hours, will run run on the streets of this major Cuban tourist resort.

Alberto Juantorena, president of the Cuban Athletics Federation, acknowledged the work done by local authorities and volunteers in the organization of the race.

Juantorena, who was two-time Olympic champion in Montreal 1972, stressed the importance in sports to maintain this kind of competition, which benefits the country not only in sports but also economically.