Marathon runners attacked by canines
NAINITAL: A marathon run in Nainital on Sunday turned into a sprint for participating athletes who were forced to shift gears and run for their lives as a pack of street dogs attacked them. At least two athletes were bitten and had to be administered anti-rabies injection.
Another was attacked by a monkey and was given first aid.
Their dreams of winning a medal during the 8th Nainital Monsoon Mountain Marathon remained just that as they had to give up the run midway.
Earlier, the annual event started with much fanfare with international athletes Abdul Najir and P Shanker flagging off a half marathon (21km) and three other of 10km each — open category, for boys and girls, and for veterans. Different routes were marked for separate categories.
For athletes Arun Adhikari and Laxman Singh, participating in the half-marathon, it was a smooth run until they reached Anyar Pata. From there, it was a mad sprint to Raj Bhawan as a pack of street dogs attacked them. “It was sudden. We could hardly save ourselves. I feel sad I had to leave the race midway,” said Adhikari. The organisers rushed him and Singh to the BD Pandey Hospital where they were given anti-rabies vaccine.
Meanwhile, another athlete, Pramod Patni, was attacked by a monkey and received several scratches. He, too, was taken to the hospital and given treatment.
Sources said some other athletes were also attacked by the dogs but they preferred to consult private doctors. HT, however, could not independently verify this information.
Athlete and event organiser Harish Tiwari blamed the Nainital municipal authorities.