M’lore: Athletes P T Usha, Vandana Rao Add Vivacity to Half Marathon in City
Pics: Savitha B R
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/VA)
Mangalore, Feb 20: The morning chill made no difference to a large number of enthusiasts who turned up to participate in the Vijaya Bank Half-marathon, a sports event organized by the Dakshina Kannada district administration. The event kicked-off on Sunday February 20.
It was more than just a race. It proved to be an effective platform to spread social messages for the welfare of the city with the idea of promoting clean, green, progressive Mangalore.
More than 5,000 people took part in the half-marathon and the mini-marathon, which began from the Nehru Maidan at 6.30 am and culminated at the Mangala Stadium later at 8.30 am.
The half-marathon chart included a distance of 21 km, the mini-marathon was more on the lines of a cross country run for the athletically minded over a distance of six km. The former glamour girls of Indian athletics including P T Usha, as well as Vandana Rao, Reeth Abraham, and Vandana Shanbhog added colour to the event.
The marathon passed through Pandeshwar, Mangaladevi, Jeppu Market, Valencia, Kankanady, Jyoti Circle, Hampankatta, Navabharath Circle, PVS Circle, City Hospital, Nantoor, Kadri Park, Battagudde, Kadri Kambla Junction, Pinto Bakery Junction, Bejai Road, KSRTC, Kuntikan Road, Infosys, Urwa Store and Chilimbi, before concluding at Mangala Stadium.
The mini marathon took the routes of Nehru Maidan, Hampankatta, Tagore Park, Jyoti Circle, Bunts Hostel, Karangalpady, Jail Road, Canara College Road, M G Road, Lady Hill, Press Club, Corporation Bank Library Road, and then reached Mangala Stadium.
The competitors traversed along a pre-determined route and the event winded up at Mangala Stadium wherein dignitaries distributed prizes to the winners in the respective categories.
The traffic diversion facilitated in smooth conduct of the event.
Deputy commissioner Subodh Yadav, Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, IGP
Alok Mohan and district in-charge minister Krishna J Palemar among others were present during the marathon.