Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangalore, Feb 20: Dakshina Kannada Athletic Association (DKAA) will organize the fourth edition NITTE Mangaluru half marathon and 10 km run in city on Sunday February 22. The event will be officially sponsored by Nitte Education Trust, informed Manjunath Bhandary, president of Dakshina Kannada Athletic Association in a press meet.

Addressing the press conference, Manjunath Bhandary said, “NITTE Mangaluru half marathon 2015 aims to involve youth and create awareness among youth about sports and fitness and channelize their energy in right direction. DKAA is expecting a participation of over 15,000 athletes in the marathon compared to 10,000 last year”.

Giving details of the event he said, “The event comprises both competitive and non-competitive categories. The half marathon will have two categories namely open category (16-45 years) and senior category (46-60 years). The 10 Km run will have three categories in the form of open category (16-45 years), senior category (46-60 years), and veteran category (61 years-above)”.

As a special incentive, six special cash prizes will be awarded to top six winners in the open category (16-45 years) of half marathon and 10 km run. Top three winners in senior category (46-60) of half marathon and 10 km run as well as top three winners in veteran category of 10 km run will be awarded.

To attract youth and youngsters, the half marathon will also include a competitive category of five Kms and 5kms run for college boys and girls and high school boys and girls respectively. The three Km and two Km run will be also organized for primary school boys and girls respectively. There will be ten prizes each in both these categories separately for boys and girls.

An open and non-competitive 'Nama Balipuga 5 Kms Fun Run' has also been organised on the occasion.

The event will be flagged off from Mangala stadium at 6.00 am on the day.

Sunil Kumar Shetty and P V Mithra were present during the press meet.