New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS): More than 49,000 students from 800 schools across India lined up Sunday to run the 19th edition of the Coca-Cola Salwan Cross Country Run, the world's largest race for school children.
Students from various schools across India including from the north-east, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh took part in the event.
There was also participation from more than 1,700 visually impaired and more than 250 differently-abled children.
Commenting on the completion of the 19th edition, Inder Dutt Salwan, chief architect of the race, said: "It is very encouraging to see the response from the students who have come together from various parts of the country to run and compete. We firmly believe that sports plays an integral part in the overall development of a student, hence we wish to drive home the point that sports curriculum in schools is important as well as avenues for professional growth of sports instructors."
"Students excelling at the marathon over the years have been from non-metro cities; and taking the cue we would like to take this race to other parts of the country next year, especially non-metros with the same level of emphasis on clean sports. We would also like to thank the Army Services Sports control board, the 4500 marshalls and volunteers, and specially the Delhi Police who have extended all their support to ensure that everything went off smoothly."
The race this year was flagged off by Lt Gen Rajiv Bhalla, director general - military training, and also witnessed participation by Indian Olympians Shiva Thapa, one of India's most exciting young boxers and the youngest Indian to win a gold at the Asian Confederation Boxing Championship; KT Irfan, national record holder in the 20 km walk and; MR Poovamma, one of the top runners in Asia in the 400m category.
The three sportspersons ran alongside visually impaired children as volunteers.
The marathon categorised participants in eight different categories - visually impaired, intellectually challenged (4.5 km), Under 14 Girls and Boys (4.5 km), Under 16 Girls and Boys (6 km) and Under 18 Girls and Boys races (8 km).