Havana - A total of 431 runners from the United States registered to compete in the next edition of Marabana, which is a record figure, announced Carlos Gattorno, general director of the famous Cuban marathon.

This unprecedented participation highlights among the new characteristics of the first edition of a Marabana after the restoration of relations between Cuba and the United States, launched on December 17, 2014.

Although the figure could rise, 431 US athletes and 16 Puerto Rican already formalized their registration online by paying the appropriate fee, said Gattorno.

In addition to the current political situation, the US presence is authorized by one of the 12 licenses provided by Washington for its nationals to travel to Cuba.

Marabana-2015 is scheduled for the third Sunday of November and for the first time this year requires participants´ qualification.

According to Gattorno, the 2,300 runners who completed the race last year are automatically qualified, and the rest will do so in individual races on July 18 and August 13.

This marathon celebrates the anniversary of the founding of Havana and the Day of Physical Culture and Sport in Cuba, and has replicas across the country by Maracuba career.

The competition-divided in marathon, half marathon and 10 kilometers-calls from runners and conventional walkers to elite athletes, veterans and physically unable people.