Jakarta. The Banyuwangi Ijen Green Run 2017 will be held in Banyuwangi, East Java, on Sunday (23/07). Hundreds of local and international runners will participate in the run, which will be held on a track crisscrossing the beautiful landscape around Mount Ijen.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said in a statement on Wednesday (19/07) that the cross-country event features a challenging track, beautiful nature and clear weather.

The minister was born and raised in Banyuwangi, a small town at easternmost end of Java. He said, "Banyuwangi is very dear to me. I've climbed Mount Ijen dozens of times up to the Blue Fire [crater]. I know how beautiful it is."

Banyuwangi District Head Abdullah Azwar Anas said runners will be taken through coffee, clove and pine plantations, forests, rivers, rice fields and villages around Mount Ijen.

"Imagine running early in the morning when the beautiful Mount Ijen is still covered in fog. It's a feast for the eyes," Anas said.

This year’s Banyuwangi Ijen Green Run will be run over three distances: 5 kilometers, 15 kilometers and 27 kilometers. All runs will start at 6 a.m.

Miss Southeast Asia Tourism Ambassador 2016, Dikna Faradiba, will join the run on Sunday.

Dikna is also the winner of the Best National Costume Miss Tourism International 2016 and the Miss Glowing Glojas Tourism International 2016 titles.

At total of 467 local and international runners have registered for the event.

The Tourism Ministry has also held similar events that combine a running competition with stunning natural landscape on Mount Tambora in Sumbawa, Mount Rinjani in Lombok and Mount Bromo and Mount Semeru in East Java.