[ENG-TET]
PRESS RELEASE
President Ramos-Horta Announces 2026 Dili International Marathon Dates and Launches Official Website with the New Theme “Love our forests and wildlife”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 26 2026
DILI, TIMOR-LESTE — President José Ramos-Horta, Patron of the Dili International Marathon, today announced the official dates for the 2026 marathon season and launched the event’s new website at www.dilimarathon.tl. This year marks a historic milestone as the IX Constitutional Government, through the Office of the President, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Tourism, welcomes the Athletics Federation of Timor-Leste to serve as the key partner of the event in collaboration with the government.
Under the new theme “Love Our Forests and Wildlife” (“Hadomi ita nia Ai-Laran no ita nia Balada Fuik”), the 2026 edition will focus on celebrating and protecting Timor-Leste’s incredible biodiversity, flora, and fauna. The event aims to transcend sport by becoming a national campaign for environmental conservation and natural heritage protection.
“The Dili International Marathon is more than just a race; it is a celebration of our nation’s spirit and now, a commitment to our future,” said President Ramos-Horta. “By running for our forests and wildlife, we acknowledge that our natural heritage is as precious as our athletic potential. We invite the world to run with us, not just for personal achievement, but to help protect the unique ecosystems that make Timor-Leste extraordinary.”
New Two-Event Season Structure
To better prepare athletes and test new systems, the 2026 season will feature two distinct major events:
- National Selection Event (Half Marathon): May 9, 2026
- Dili International Marathon (Main Event): August 8, 2026
Historic Initiatives & Professionalization
Building on the success of the 2025 “Run for Palestine” edition, the 2026 marathon introduces several major technical advancements to elevate the event to world-class standards:
- RFID Electronic Timing System: Implementation of professional electronic chip timing for accurate results.
- New Coastal Route: A newly designed, internationally certified route that showcases Dili’s coastline while minimizing city traffic disruption.
- Online Registration: A comprehensive digital registration system opening in March 2026 at www.dilimarathon.tl.
“This year represents a turning point for athletics in our country,” stated Mr. Afriano Amaral, President of the Athletics Federation of Timor-Leste. “With the support of the Government and our Patron, President Ramos-Horta, we are professionalizing our technical infrastructure to provide a clear, certified pathway for Timorese athletes to qualify for the Olympic Games on home soil.”
Beneficiary Partners & Environmental Impact
The event is proud to partner with two leading environmental organizations;
1. JRH Resilience Fund (José Ramos-Horta Climate Action and Resilience Fund), supports rural communities through sustainable tree planting and carbon farming practices.
2. PERMATIL (Permaculture Timor-Leste), empowers communities through sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and environmental education.
The event expects over 6,000 participants, including more than 500 international runners. Runners will have the opportunity to directly support tree planting and water conservation projects through JRH Resilience Fund and PERMATIL.
Participation & Timeline
The events expects over 7,000 participants, including more than 500 international runners. Registration is open to all ages and abilities.
- January 2026: Official Theme Launch
- February 2026: Website Launch
- March 2026: Registration Opens
- May 9, 2026: National Selection Event
- August 8, 2026: Dili International Marathon
Sponsors interested in supporting this national event are invited to contact the organizing committee at info@dilimarathon.tl. For updates, follow the event on Facebook at @Dili Marathon.
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About the Dili International Marathon
Established in 2010 as part of the “Dili City of Peace” campaign, the Dili International Marathon is one of Timor-Leste’s longest-running international sporting events. It has served as a platform for national unity, peace-building, and athletic excellence, propelling Timorese marathon runners to the Olympic stage.
Media Contact:
Dili International Marathon Media Team
Email: info@dilimarathon.tl
Website: www.dilimarathon.tl
KOMUNIKADU IMPRENSA
Prezidente Ramos-Horta Anúnsia Data ba Maratona Internasionál Dili 2026 no Lansa Website Ofisiál ho Tema Foun “Hadomi ita-nia Ai-laran no ita-nia Balada Fuik”
BA PUBLIKASAUN IMEDIATA — 26 Fevereiru 2026
DILI, TIMOR-LESTE — Prezidente Repúblika, José Ramos-Horta, nu’udar Patronu ba Maratona Internasionál Dili, ohin anúnsia data ofisiál ba époka maratona tinan 2026 nian no lansa mós saite (website) ofisiál ba eventu ne’e iha www.dilimarathon.tl. Tinan ne’e marka pasu istórika ida tanba Governu Konstitusionál da-IX, liuhosi Gabinete Prezidente, Ministériu Juventude no Desportu, hamutuk ho Ministériu Turizmu. simu Federasaun Atletizmu Timor-Leste servisu nu’udar parseiru xave ba eventu ne’e.
Iha tema foun “Hadomi ita-nia Ai-Laran no ita-nia Balada Fuik” (Love Our Forests and Wildlife), edisaun 2026 nian sei foka liubá selebrasaun no protesaun ba Timor-Leste nia biodiversidade, flora no fauna ne’ebé furak. Eventu ne’e iha objetivu atu la’ós de’it ko’alia kona-ba desportu, maibé atu sai mós hanesan kampaña nasionál ba konservasaun ambientál no protesaun ba eransa naturál.
“Maratona Internasionál Dili ne’e la’ós de’it kores-fatin ida; ida-ne’e selebrasaun ida ba ita-nia nasaun nia espíritu no, agora, sai hanesan mós kompromisu ida ba ita-nia futuru,” dehan Prezidente Ramos-Horta. “Hodi halai ba ita-nia ai-laran no balada fuik, ita rekoñese katak ita-nia eransa naturál iha valór hanesan ho ita-nia poténsia iha desportu. Ita konvida mundu atu halai hamutuk ho ita, la’ós de’it ba susesu pesoál, maibé atu ajuda proteje ekosistema úniku ne’ebé halo Timor-Leste sai kmanek tebes.”
Estrutura Foun ba Époka Eventu Rua
Atu prepara di’ak liután atleta sira no teste sistema foun sira, époka 2026 sei iha eventu boot rua ne’ebé la hanesan:
- Eventu Selesaun Nasionál (Meia Maratona): 9 Maiu 2026
- Maratona Internasionál Dili (Eventu Prínsipal): 8 Agostu 2026
Inisiativa Istórika no Profisionalizasaun
Haree hosi susesu edisaun 2025 nian “Halai ba Palestina” (Run for Palestine), maratona 2026 nian aprezenta dezenvolvimentu tékniku boot balu hodi hasae kualidade eventu ne’e nian ba padraun mundiál:
- Sistema RFID (Electronic Timing System): Implementasaun chip eletróniku profisionál ba tempu nian hodi fó rezultadu ne’ebé loloos.
- Rute Foun iha Tasi-Ibun: Dezeña foun rute ne’ebé hetan ona sertifikasaun internasionál hodi hatudu Dili nia tasi-ibun no redús mós trafiku iha sidade laran.
- Rejistu Online: Sistema rejistu dijitál komprensivu ne’ebé sei loke iha Marsu 2026 iha www.dilimarathon.tl.
“Tinan ne’e reprezenta mudansa boot ba atletizmu iha ita-nia rai,” hateten Sr. Afriano Amaral, Prezidente Federasaun Atletizmu Timor-Leste nian. “Ho apoiu hosi Governu no ita-nia Patronu, Prezidente Ramos-Horta, ita profisionaliza hela ita-nia infraestrutura téknika atu fó dalan ne’ebé klaru no sertifikadu ba atleta Timór-oan sira hodi kualifika ba Jogus Olímpiikus iha ita-nia rai rasik.”
Parseiru Benefisiáriu no Impaktu Ambientál
Eventu ne’e orgullu tebes atu servisu hamutuk ho organizasaun ambientál rua ne’ebé lidera iha sira-nia área:
1. JRH Resilience Fund (Fundu Reziliénsia no Asaun Klimátika José Ramos-Horta), ne’ebé apoia komunidade rurál sira liuhosi prátika kuda ai-hun sustentável no kuda kárbonu (carbon farming).
2. PERMATIL (Permakultura Timor-Leste), ne’ebé hametin komunidade sira liuhosi agrikultura sustentável, konservasaun bee, no edukasaun ambientál.
Eventu ne’e hein atu simu partisipante na’in 7,000 resin, inklui mós korredór internasionál na’in 500 resin. Korredór sira sei iha oportunidade atu apoia direita projetu kuda ai-oan no konservasaun bee liuhosi Fundu Reziliénsia JRH no PERMATIL.
Partisipasaun no Kalendáriu
Rejistu nakloke ba idade hotu-hotu no ba ema hotu.
- Janeiru 2026: Lansa Tema Ofisiál
- Fevereiru 2026: Lansa Saite (Website)
- Marsu 2026: Loke Rejistu
- 9 Maiu 2026: Eventu Selesaun Nasionál
- 8 Agostu 2026: Maratona Internasionál Dili
Sponsor sira ne’ebé iha interese atu apoia eventu nasionál ne’e bele kontaktu komisaun organizadora liuhosi email info@dilimarathon.tl. Atu hetan informasaun foun sira, bele tuir eventu ne’e nia pagina Facebook iha @Dili Marathon.
Kona-ba Maratona Internasionál Dili
Estabelese iha tinan 2010 nu’udar parte hosi kampaña “Dili Sidade ba Dame” (Dili City of Peace), Maratona Internasionál Dili hanesan eventu desportu internasionál ida ne’ebé hala’o kleur ona iha Timor-Leste. Eventu ne’e sai hanesan plataforma ida ba unidade nasionál, harii paz, no kualidade desportu nian, hodi dudu atleta maratona Timór sira ba palku Olímpiiku nian.
Kontaktu ba Media:
Ekipa Media Maratona Internasionál Dili
Email: info@dilimarathon.tl
Website: www.dilimarathon.tl