Pics by: Justin D’silva

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Jan 8: Promo run ahead of much awaited “Manipal Marathon – 2023” was held on Sunday January 8 in Manipal academy of higher education campus in Manipal.

Dr H S Ballal, pro chancellor MAHE flagged off the promo run. The run was held to promote the Manipal marathon 2023 which will be held on February 12. More than 15,000 participants across nations are expected to participate in the internationally recognized Manipal marathon run.

Manipal Marathon is an annual running event of Udupi District organized by Manipal Academy of Higher Education in association with Udupi District Amateur Athletic Association and Rotary club Manipal. It is the largest student organized marathon in the country and the past 4 editions attracted runners from across the globe. The 5th edition of the Manipal Marathon aims to create awareness on Childhood Cancer and funds will be raised to support and care for people requiring financial assistance for the treatment of Childhood cancer.

On flagging off the promo run Dr HS Ballal, pro chancellor MAHE said “This is a promotional run, the marathon will be held on February 12, 2023. All the categories of people have joined together today for this promo run. This year we have a very important theme of creating awareness on childhood cancer. Many people have an impression that cancer is a death sentence, but it is not so today. If diagnosed early even they can lead a normal life”.

Dr Vasudev Bhat, head of the department Pediatric oncology highlighted about creating awareness on childhood cancer and the need for it. He said “Awareness is the first step. There are a lot of myths like children don’t get cancer, but it is not so. But they have to be diagnosed early and treated early. We have taken many steps towards treating children with cancer. We require a lot of financial support to treat these children, Rotary club Manipal town has also partnered with us for an endowment fund which is utilized for poor patients with cancer”.

Nithyananda Nayak, president of Rotary club Manipal town on the occasion said “I thank all the students and participants for their participation. We have created a Rotary-MAHE skin bank, first of its kind. We had raised Rs 25 lacs for the cancer endowment fund and MAHE had provided the matching grant. Rotary Manipal town has also initiated a hair donation project for cancer patients”.

Hundreds of participants ran a 3 kilometer run promoting the Manipal Marathon 2023.

Dr Narayan Sabahith, Pro vice chancellor technology and management Dr Sharath Rao, Pro VC health sciences, Dr Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro VC Management- Law - Humanities and social sciences Dr Giridhar Kini, registrar Commandar Dr Anil Rana, Dr Padmaraj Hegde, dean Kasturba medical college Director MIT C G Muttanna, chief operating officer MAHE Dr Geetha Mayya, director student affairs Dr Vinod Nayak, Sports Secretary MAHE sports council and Dr Shobha Yerappa, Joint secretary Sports council MAHE were present on the occasion.

Dr Reena Sherin, sports advisor for KMC Manipal compered the program.