Jaipur’s sporty side on display as 80,000 take part in marathon
: More than of 80,000 people, including Bollywood stars and runners from 20 countries on Sunday participated in the 9th edition of the AU Bank Jaipur Marathon that was flagged off from the city’s Jawaharlal Nehru Marg.
The annual event, jointly organized by Jaipur-based Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha (SYS)—an organization that promotes awareness about fitness— and the World Trade Park, had four categories, including the 42-km full marathon, 21-km half marathon, 10-km timed run and 6-km dream run.
“When we started in 2009, there were 25,000 participants. This year, a total of 80,000 people participated in the four races and for the next year, we have a target of one lakh people,” said Suresh Mishra, chairman of SYS.
Runners from more than 20 countries, including England, France and the United States participated in the race, he said.
“We are planning to make a fitness calendar for Jaipur and organise events throughout the year. In addition, we also intend to have marathon at the block levels to sensitize people about fitness.”
Actor-model-fitness promoter Milind Soman and former Bollywood star-turned producer Raveena Tandon were and the guest runners who participated in the marathon.
Soman, who participated in the 21-km half marathon, urged the participants to run every day for good health and fitness.
State health minister Kali Charan Saraf, Jaipur parliamentarian Ramcharan Bohara and city mayor Ashok Lahoty were among those present on the occasion.
The Rajasthan government’s tourism department, sports department, and the Jaipur Municipal Corporation were the partners of the event.
Mayor Ashok Lahoty administered a pledge to the runners for making Jaipur clean and also launched a mobile appbased contest in which five motorbikes and 11 smartphones can be won.
JAIPUR