Thousands take part in Manipal Marathon
Pics By Prasanna Kodavoor, Team Mangalorean
Manipal: Asian Games bronze medalist in the steeplechase, Naveen Dagar won the 21.1 kilometers race in the Manipal Marathon held here on Sunday morning. The winner in the women’s half marathon was Kiran Jithur of Punjab. Both were awarded cash prizes of rupees 70,000 each. About 6,000 runners took part in the marathon organized by Manipal University and Udupi Athletic Association. Other than the half marathon, there were 10 kilometers, five and three kilometers races to ensure all registered runners including the international, national, young and old got a chance to run.
KMC Greens came alive long before dawn with the enthusiastic runners limbering up with Zumba fitness workout. It was great fun and everyone enjoyed the lush Greens and the carnival presented by Volunteer Services organization (VSO).
Manipal Marathon this year had the theme of “run for the awareness of stroke”. It also coincides with the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Manipal Institute of Technology. A reason why it was decided to hold the Marathon in at such a large scale. It was a success by any standards with runners from a number of other states participating.
Naveen is preparing to take part in the world championship he said and was training at Bangalore. He hails from Haryana. Ranjeet Singh finished second and Santosh third in the men’s half marathon. Kiran Jithur who won the first prize in the women’s half marathon is from Punjab. She has won two other half marathons in the country recently. Thippavva Sannakki was second and Archana finished third. The second and third finishers in both categories won cash prizes of Rs 35,000 and 20,000 respectively.
The winner in the 10-kilometers race for women was Mamta of Varanasi, Suprita was second and Deeksha third. Pravin Khambal was the winner in the men’s section, Vijay was second and Chetan GJ was third. In the 10 kilometers Senior women’s category, Yulia came first, Rekha was second and Prameela third. Shankara won the race in the Senior men’s category, Vishwanath Kotian was second and Divakar was third.
