Udupi: Scores of Enthusiasts Partake in Udupi Marathon
 
News and Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD/VA)
 
Udupi, Feb 6: Syndicate Bank sponsored ‘Udupi Marathon’,  a 21 kilo metres  race, themed ‘Run for sports’ was held for all age-groups here on Sunday February 6.  The race was embarked on from Syndicate Bank head office at Manipal covering Malpe and back to Manipal.

Bangalore-based Banjara Group of Hotels chairman Prakash Shetty inaugurated the marathon. Sandalwood actress Pooja Gandhi added star attraction to the event. 
 
Dasari Vas, a student of Alvas College, Moodbidri bagged the first place in the marathon, while Badami-based Chalukya Sports athlete Siddappa bagged the second place.  Siddappa has been competing in the Udupi Marathon for the consecutive third year.  Nagendraraj, a student of Alvas College, Moodbidri bagged the third place in men’s marathon.
 
Rajashree Patil, a student of Alvas College, Moodbidri bagged the first place, while Smithashree, a student of Alvas College, Moodbidri bagged the second place and Sri Lankan national Disha Malakanti bagged the third place in women’s marathon.  
 
The state higher education minister Dr V S Acharya presented the cash prize of Rs 50,000 each to Dasari Vas and Rajashree, Rs 25,000 each to Siddappa and Smithashree, Rs 15,000 each to Nagendraraj and Disha Malakanthi during the stage programme. 
 
The marathon was held in many categories – senior citizens, between the age-group of 52 years and 60years, age-group of 42 and 50 years, college students under the age of 16, below 14 years, below 12 years and for bank employees.  
 
Syndicate Bank general manager Devanand Upadhyaya, Alvas Education Foundation chairman Dr M Mohan Alva, ZP chief executive officer Rajashekar, acting DC Prabhakar, town counsellor Kiran Kumar, Yashpal Suvarna, MLA Raghupati Bhat, district Athletics Association president Balakrishna Hegde, Karnataka state Athletics Association president Sunil Kumar and others were present on the occasion.