The annual event welcomed international athletes and regional content creators as Timor-Leste strengthened its engagement with ASEAN and the wider Asia-Pacific.
The Organising Committee of the 2026 Dili International Marathon announced an expanded ASEAN+ presence for this year’s event, bringing together international elite runners, regional content creators and institutional participants in Dili. The initiative highlighted Timor-Leste’s growing regional engagement ahead of its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.
Elite athletes from Portugal, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia competed in the Marathon and Half Marathon events alongside Timorese national squad runners. A six-member contingent from the Australian Defence Force also participated, while regional content creators joined the programme to share Timor-Leste’s culture, hospitality and race experience with audiences throughout Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific.
Event Director Sean Borrell said the marathon embodied the ASEAN+ spirit by bringing together participants from across the region to compete alongside Timorese athletes. He added that the event reflected the vision Timor-Leste hoped to carry into its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.
Organised annually as part of Timor-Leste’s national independence commemorations, the 2026 Dili International Marathon took place from 4 to 8 August and featured the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 km Para-Athletes race and 5 km Fun Run.
Source: Tatoli
