Shillong, July 17 (IANS) Around 1,100 men and women on Friday took part in the “Cherrapunjee Marathon” here in Meghalaya. Vikas Kumar from Uttar Pradesh and Shyamilee Singh from Tamil Nadu won the full marathon in the men’s and women’s open categories respectively.

Organised by RUN Meghalaya and sponsored by the State Bank of India, the event’s second edition started from Mawkdok and covered places like Lad Mawphlang, Sohra Rim and Sohra.

People with disabilities also took part.

Giving Jomsingstar Ramsiej and Honton Rynjah both from Meghalaya came second and third. Darishisha Iangjuh and Habari Warjri completed their marathon in the second and third place respectively.

“This is my first full marathon in Cherrapunjee. I think the cool weather and the timing make it more relaxing and easier to run. I hope to keep participating in this wonderful event year after year,” Singh said.

Besides athletes and professional runners from India and 15 other countries, hundreds of young and old from the armed forces, IT firms, corporate, colleges, bureaucrats and politicians participated in the marathon.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma also joined the runners after flagging off the marathon at Mawkdok.

His cabinet colleagues – Zenith Sangma and Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh – too took part The Cherrapunjee Marathon stands out as one of the most scenic marathon routes in India.

The route starts from Mawkdok and ends in Sohra or Cherrapunji — well known for the heaviest rainfall in the world.

Runners passed through quaint villages with small old huts and were greeted by gentle villagers. They climbed hills and ran down the slopes, crossed bridges and ran along rivers.