Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/KR)
Udupi, Jan 18: The countdown has begun for the fifth edition of internationally acclaimed ‘Manipal Marathon’.
The most popular marathon of the nation, ‘Manipal Marathon 2023’ with the tagline ‘Early Detection saves lives- I Can Cer-Vive', will be held on Sunday, February 12 at Manipal. Organised by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) in association with Udupi District Amateur Athletic Association, Rotary Club Manipal town and NEB Sports Bengaluru, the event will be a carnival-like celebration.
Manipal Marathon has acclaimed international recognition and runners from across the nation will be participating in it. The first edition of the marathon was held in 2017. Since then it has been an annual event at Manipal, but due to the Covid-19, the event was not held for the last two years.
The fifth edition of the Manipal Marathon aims to create awareness on childhood cancer with the tagline ‘Early Detection saves lives- I Can Cer-Vive'. Through the event, funds will be raised to support and care for people requiring financial assistance for the treatment of childhood cancer.
“Early detection of childhood cancer can save lives. The fifth edition of Manipal Marathon aims to create awareness among the general public on this cause. We also aim to raise funds for the same. Providing definite treatment at a good healthcare facility can save lives. In India, around 50,000 to 75,000 new childhood cancer cases are identified. These are the detected ones, but the same amount of unidentified cases are also prevalent in the community. Everyone should be aware of this disease. Some parents will not be able to afford the treatment cost also and so the general public should come forward to support such patients,” said Dr Sharath Rao, pro vice-chancellor, health sciences, MAHE in an exclusive chat with Daijiworld.
Highlighting about the importance of awareness in childhood cancer, Dr Vasudev Bhat, head of the department of paediatric oncology said, “Early detection is very much important. Common symptoms like abdominal swelling and continuous fever are easily identified. It should not be delayed. In foreign countries, the rate of recovery is around 90 -95%, but in India it is around 70%. This is due to the delayed detection and lack of awareness. As a large number of people will be participating in the marathon, various activities will also be held to create awareness about childhood cancer.”
With Various categories, INR (Rs) 16 lac worth of cash prizes to be won
The marathon will be held in untimed 3k fun run and corporate 3k, and timed 5k, 10k, 21k, and 42k runs. In an exclusive interview with Daijiworld, Deepak Ram Bairy, joint secretary, Rotary Club Manipal town, highlighted the aims and objectives of Manipal Marathon 2023. He said, “Thousands of runners will be participating in the event. People of Udupi and Manipal will also be able to inculcate fitness habits. Rotary Club Manipal town is working towards the cause of childhood cancer. Rotary Club Manipal town has joined hands with MAHE for various social causes. We have jointly set up a skin bank also.”
Speaking with Daijiworld about Manipal Marathon 2023, Dr Vinod Nayak, secretary, Sports Council, MAHE said, “We have successfully organised four editions of Manipal Marathon so far. The first edition in 2017 was aimed at creating awareness on stroke, in 2018, it was about drug abuse, while mental health awareness was the theme for the 2019 marathon run, and in 2020 we aimed at creating awareness about organ donation. The fifth edition is aimed at creating awareness on childhood cancer.
Every year the number of participants is growing. Runners from Nigeria, UK, Germany, Nepal, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have participated in the marathon. We are expecting around 15,000 participants this year. Everyone can participate in this marathon, we even have a senior category for senior citizens. All the age categories will be having amazing prizes also. Everyone should participate in this marathon. ICICI Bank has also joined hands with us for the cause. Let us support the children suffering from cancer.”
Dr Raviraj N S, director, corporate relations, MAHE told Daijiworld, “We are expecting participants from all over India and across nations as well. This is a unique programme to be held in coastal Karnataka. Many renowned international runners will be participating in the marathon. Food and fitness both are very important for human beings. A person should exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Through this type of programme the public will get motivated to fitness and practice it. This is a forum for youths to come together. All the competitions will not be aimed at winning prizes. Some will also be for building togetherness. It is a rare case where people contribute to poor children’s medical needs by running.”
Dr Anil Rana, director, MIT, Manipal in an exclusive interview with Daijiworld said, “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event was not held for two years. So this time there is a lot of activity happening in and around Manipal. There is a lot of excitement among students and staff of MIT for the marathon. This is very important. For the young students to stay fit is something that involves a lot of sports activity. Through sports they inculcate discipline, patience, and work hard. Running a marathon is becoming a habit. Everybody can run. Start with small distances first. You may have hundreds of reasons not to run but there will be only one reason and that is your own determination to get up and run.”
Full marathon of 42.2 kilometres, half marathon of 21.1 kilometres will be held for people in the age group of 18 years and above while 10-kilometre run will be held for 14 years and above. Five-kilometre run will be held for 6 years and above. Public can also participate in the 3-kilometer fun run.
Dr Girish Menon, professor and head, neurosurgery, KMC-Manipal & faculty advisor of Manipal Runners Club and a pioneer pillar of Manipal Marathon in an exclusive interview with Daijiworld said, “I joined Manipal in 2014. Running was my passion. I met a few students who were interested in practicing running and we began the Manipal Runners Club. We met the hospital administration to make this a formal event and as Dr H S Ballal was a sportsperson and a sports enthusiast the first edition was held in February 2017. Every year the number of participants increased. Manipal Marathon has been rated among the top ten marathon events in the country. Our desire is to promote running as a culture. There is a lot of controversy with regard to dieting practices but all health professionals opine that exercise is very much important. Exercise not only prevents diseases, but also in some cases it delays it. We aim at making the Manipal Marathon an event of international stature. There is no marathon track with such a scenic view which the Manipal Marathon has.”
Physical fitness of students is very important – Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor, MAHE
Speaking exclusively with daijiworld, Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor, MAHE, said, “This is the fifth edition of the Manipal Marathon. The flagging off will be held at 6 am. There are various categories of full marathon, half marathon, 3k, 5k, 10k runs. It is a sort of carnival, and various entertainment activities will also be held. We aim at providing physical activity to the children through this marathon. Manipal University is a very prestigious university; we have received an institution of eminence award from the central government. Academics is the first preference, but we want to give a lot of importance to the physical and extracurricular activities as well. The runners club of our university came up with an idea to host a marathon. As years passed by it is becoming more and more successful. As of today we are in fourth position among the top marathon organisers of India.
“Sports was not much supported during our time, but today things have changed and people have understood that sports itself can be a profession. There are many professional sports persons in our own country also.
“Our country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving a lot of support for sports. We have performed very well in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. 'Khelo India' is also promoting sports through various channels. More than 30,000 students from various parts of India and the globe are studying in MAHE, we believe that their physical fitness is also important. ICICI Bank is the title sponsor for the event.
“Second Sunday of February every year will be the day dedicated to the Manipal Marathon. Every year we will scale to greater heights and we assure that more and more participants will participate,” he said.
In his message to the youths, Dr Ballal said, “This event aims to inculcate the spirit of physical fitness among students. Present younger generation are the leaders of tomorrow. So it becomes important that we keep their physical fitness good. Let us all join together and make the fifth edition of Manipal Marathon a grand success.”
Manipal marathon will be an important part of nation’s sporting calendar – Dr MD Venkatesh, vice-chancellor, MAHE
Dr M D Venkatesh, Vice-Chancellor, MAHE, Manipal in an exclusive talk with Daijiworld said, “MAHE is organising marathons from 2017. The marathon in 2020 attracted more than 10,000 participants. This year, we are expecting about 15,000 participants. Manipal Marathon is also recognised by International Athletic Federation, Manipal is the leading marathon organisers after Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi. Manipal always associates any event with societal cause. Our founder Dr T M A Pai aimed at societal development. In the future, we will also conduct many more programmes which will have societal impact. We are undertaking a ‘hospice project’ for cancer patients. It will be a 100-bed modern cancer care centre. Sports and games is an integral part of MAHE, Marena sports complex of MAHE is the top sports facility in India. Manipal marathon 2023 is themed at ‘early detection and childhood cancer.”
In his message to the younger community Dr M D Venkatesh said, “Do your activities with a societal cause. Physical fitness and mental health are the two most important things the younger generation of India should keep in mind. If you are physically fit, your mental health will also be good. In these current days of mental turmoil you can keep your mental health fit by taking part in sporting activities. It will also help in staying away from bad habits. Manipal Marathon 2023 will be a landmark event at Manipal. It will always be a marathon run with a societal theme, whatever fund we raise through this marathon will be spent towards awareness programmes, and also helping people in treatment of paediatric cancer. This marathon will provide them an opportunity to take part in an event which has a very important societal impact. I want this to reach the international stage and be rated by international runners. Manipal Marathon will be an important part of the nation’s sporting calendar.”
Watch exclusive talk on the Manipal Marathon: