Runners in thousands participate in Vijaya Bank sponsored twin marathons
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangalore, February 20: The twin marathons jointly organized by Vijaya Bank and the DK district administration along the theme of “progressive, green, and clean Mangalore” on Sunday morning had a large number of participants. The district administration received 7000 registrations from people wishing to participate in the twin marathons.
The runners of the 21km half marathon and the 6km mini marathon, which had their starting points at Nehru Maidan at 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., respectively, were greatly inspired by the presence of Payyoli Express P. T. Usha and top Indian athletes Vandana Rao and Reeth Abraham.
District-in-charge Minister Krishna J. Palemar flagged off the half marathon and expressed hopes that the event will become an annual feature in Mangalore. DC Subodh Yadav said that the event is the first of its kind organized by the district organization to convey the social message that development and protection of the environment should happen simultaneously.
The male athletes, followed by the women athletes, led the half marathon; and this was followed by the mini marathon for men and women respectively. The runners took a pre-determined route, touching various significant parts of Mangalore, before finally reaching the Mangala Stadium.
The district administration had also diverted the traffic between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. to facilitate the smooth movement of the marathon.
The half marathon started at Nehru Maidan and passed through places such as Pandeshwar, Mangaladevi, Jeppu Market, Valencia, Kankanady, Jyothi, Hampankatta, Navabharath Circle, PVS Circle, City Hospital, Nanthoor, Kadri Park, Battagudde, Kadri Kambla Junction, Pinto Bakery Junction, Bejai Road, KSRTC, Kuntikan Road, Infosys, Urwa Store, and Chilimbi before coming to an end at Mangala Stadium.
The mini marathon commenced at Nehru Maidan and passed through Hampankatta, Tagore Road, Jyothi Circle, Bunts Hostel, Karangalpady, Jail Road, Canara College Road, M. G. Road, Lady Hill, Press Club, and Corporation Bank Library Road before reaching Mangala Stadium.