Mangaluru: Yes, Together they Ran, Together they Won! At around 6.00am Sunday 22 February, 2014, when most people were still asleep, some 14,800 young and old were very wide-awake and braving the morning haze to take part in the 4th Nitte Mangaluru 1/2 Marathon and 10K run. The record number of runners came from Karnataka state and DK, and some from India. Apart from the participants there was a mammoth crowd already lined up along the starting early in the morning to cheer up their favorite runner and others. The race has achieved its elite status among marathons by developing relationship with sponsors who provide prize money to lure elite runners who have produced few record performances. Also the runners got an opportunity to run in the heart of the city of Mangaluru. The event was organised to offer the best of running experience to all the runners, according to the organizers.
After being inspired by the spectacle of many marathons taking place abroad and also in India, Dakshina Kannada Athletics Association believed that the unique energy of Mangaluru could be harnessed in the form of a road race. With Nitte University under the able leadership of N Vinaya Hegde being the main sponsor for this mega event in Mangalore, the Nitte Mangalore1/2 Marathon and 10K Run has attracted many participants year after year, and this year nearly 15,000 runners took part in this event. Buoyed by response to the event during the last three years and continued support from NITTE Education Trust, the Marathon has encouraged DK Athletic Association, Karnataka Athletic Association and ‘Life Is Calling’- a Bangalore-based company to organize the event for the Fourth year. This year for the event the Brand Ambassadors were sportsmen, Sunil Kumar Shetty and Ashwini Nachappa.
The event had both competitive and non-competitive running sections. The 21 km half marathon and 10 km run were in the open category and people in the age group of 15 to 45 years participated. There was also a 3 km run for high school boys and girls and 5 km run for college boys and girls. These four categories were in competitive section. The top three winners in the open category (15-45 years), senior category (46-60-years) and veteran category (61-years and above) received prize money. All the finishers in the 21 kms half-marathon and 10 kms run received finisher medal at the finishing line.
Timing chips were used to time runners in 21 kms half marathon and 10 kms run. In the 5 kms run for college boys and girls, and 3 kms run for high school boys and girls, the top 10 finishers received prize money. The runners in the 21 Kms Half Marathon and 10 Kms Run were provided with water, biscuits and fruits in the water stations along the route of the run. First Aid Kits were also provided at all the water stations. Medical Station were set up at the Start/Finish Point, with the Ambulance patrolling the route to offer medical assistance to the runners.
In addition to the half Marathon and 10K Run , this year a novel Corporate Run for those from the corporate world, 3km Run for boys and 2 km Run for girls- and special attraction “Nama Balepuga”- an open and non-competitive fun run for anyone were introduced. Cash prize money from Rs 1000 up to Rs 30,000 for winners in various categories was awarded.
The coastal district of DK for long has been recognized for its excellence in sports and vibrant sports culture. The district has also produced many national and international athletes of repute. The civil society organizations have always been pro-active in promoting sport activities in the district; and, the administration and the media have always supported such endeavors. Foremost among such organizations is DKAA, and they are actively taking part in organizing the Marathon and the Run again this year, with great expectations of attracting more participants than last year.
Half Marathon and 10K Run consisted of open category (16-45 years) and senior category (46 and above). In both categories, top three finishers and in the 5km, 3km and 2km top ten finishers received prize money. Separate cash prizes for the top three finishers from DK district (15 years and above) in Half Marathon and 10K was also given. Cash prize money from Rs 1000 up to Rs 30,000 for winners in various categories was awarded. The Mangaluru Marathon -2015 is expected to boost general awareness and interest in sports in the City and to produce athletes of International standard. College and High school students who are not usually involved in physical activities are encouraged to participate”.
In response to the invitation the number of entries received so far are : College section-4150; High School-4500; Higher Primary school-3500; Nama Balipuga Fun Run-2500;-Total-14,650, and few extra. The chief guest for the event were Dr G Parameshwara-President-KAAA, Bengaluru; Guests of honour were Ministers Ramanath Rai, Abhaya Chandra Jain, U T Khader, Vinay Kumar Sorake, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MCC Mayor Mahabala Marla, Additional Director General of police-Bengaluru-Amar Kumar Pandey IPS, and Adil Sumariwala-President, Athletic Federation of India. Vinaya Hegde-chairman-Nitte Education Trust and Manjunath Bhandary, also graced the occasion. The VIPs also helped in flagging off the various categories of runs.
Other invited guests present at the event were MLA Moideen Bawa; MLC Ivan D’Souza, A B Ibrahim-Deputy Commissioner-DK, Amit Pal-IGP-Western Range, S Nurugan-Police Commissioner, Mangaluru, and Hephsibarani K-MCC Commissioner. Minister Amarnath Rai, Abhyachandra Jain and MLC Ivan D’souza also spoke and encouraged the participants to take interest in sports, and also assured them of government support. Fr Gomes-Correspondent of Milagres College-Mangaluru -for his love and support towards sports, andYathish Kumar Katpadi- who had completed many Marathons in the past were felicitated during the occasion.
During the valedictory function, Vinaya Hegde said that the Marathon was the best among the past marathons, and he promised to support and encourage the sports lovers and sports events in the future too. Mementos and prizes were given during the formal function. PB Mithra of ‘Life is Calling’ proposed the vote of thanks. The large crowd was entertained by Kevin Misquith and the Milestones Band, who danced to the Bollywood and Western tunes, and Puppet dancers.
It was a great event and highly appreciated by everyone. While observing the run I noticed a few instances which I want to bring to the notice of the organizers next time, so that there would be no injuries or casualties during the run-First of all, no caps should be given, especially to the youth/children category-for the reason when they run, the caps fall off, and the runners try to pick them up, and the runners behind them either fall of them or trample on them. Next the organizers should make sure that all runners use sports/canvas shoes while running, and not run with sandals/chappals/crocs etc–because the sandals/chappals come loose and the runners try to fix while running, and eventually they are knocked down by the runners behind them.
Another thing is that the organizers should not allow participants to allow any jewellery/watches etc while running-during today’s run few runners lost their watches/bracelets, and they were trying to search for them during the run-that was a safety concern. Also please provide enough garbage bins at the breakfast area- it was a mess today, with paper plates, cups etc scattered all over the area. Aren’t we all educated students- let’s take PM’s “Swachh Bharath” campaign seriously. Thank You!