Saharanpur admn to organise ‘Ganga Marathon’ on Nov 4

To create awareness about the cleaning of river Ganga, the Saharanpur administration has decided to organise ‘Ganga Marathon’ in the district on November 4. Male and female marathon athletes from 26 districts of western Uttar Pradesh will participate in the event to spread the message for a clean and robust river.

Saharanpur divisional commissioner, Sanjay Kumar said that National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) organises ‘Ganga Mahotsav’ every year on

November 4 in its bid to create awareness and gather public participation in the efforts to clean river Ganga and its tributaries.

The ‘Ganga Marathon’ would be organised as part of the Mahotsav to support its mission for clean and robust Ganga and its tributaries.

Sports officer of Saharanpur Prem Kumar shared that 21kms marathon would be organised under the aegis of ‘divisional sports development encouragement committee’ and cash prizes of Rs51000, Rs35000, and Rs25000 would be awarded to first three winners in men and women categories, each. A consolation prize of Rs5000 will also be awarded to seven athletes in each category.

Ashutosh Bhalla, president of UP athletics association, appreciated the efforts of the commissioner Sanjay Kumar and said, “Association would provide technical and other required assistance to the event.”

Meanwhile, association’s state secretary PK Srivastav and vice president Ashok Gupta also called on the commissioner Sanjay Kumar to discuss and finalise the schedule for the event.

Sports officer, Prem Kumar Said that 21kms marathon in men’s category would start from Rohana town of Muzaffarnagar and finish at Sakanwali canal in Deoband, while, a marathon of 10kms in girls category would start from Sakanwali canal and finish at Kapoori Govindpur village in district

Saharanpur.

Kumar explained that only six top athletes have been invited for each category from 26 districts of six divisions (Meerut, Saharanpur, Agra, Moradabad, Bareilly and Aligarh) of western UP due to the pandemic. Athletes from the Army, Air Force and police have also been invited to participate in the event.

Kumar said that all participants would gather in Muzaffarnagar a day before the event where the office of the chief medical officer has been given the responsibility to conduct their Covid test.

A CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 5000 WILL ALSO BE AWARDED TO SEVEN ATHLETES IN EACH CATEGORY.