Panaji: The fifth edition of half Marathon here will kick off tomorrow from the Sports Authority of Goa ground, Campal, organised by the El Shaddai Charitable Trust in association with the Goa Athletic Association, Council of the City of Panjim and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation.
It will attract more than 5,000 marathoners from across the country.
Similar to previous years, the marathon features four races the 21-km Half Marathon, 10-km Run, 5-km Dream Run and the School Run for children under 14 and 16 years of age.
The 10-km run and the School run continues to be large crowd pullers.
The half marathon has attracted runners from all over India and overseas with the international runners who will be giving stiff competition to the Indians both in the men and women’s open category.
The 21-km will be flagged off at 6:00 AM from the Campal Ground with runners progressing across the streets as they experience the rustic charm of Old Goa, turning around at St Peter’s Church and back to the start point.
The 10-km run is seeing locals from Goa participating in large numbers. The run will be flagged off at 6:15 AM from the Campal Ground and will progress along the banks of the scenic Mandovi River moving towards Raibandar and back to the start point.
The Dream Run (5-km) have several groups participating from the corporate sector.
The participants include companies like Novotel, Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort, BresMed Health Solutions Pvt Ltd, Teva Pharma and Diebold Systems Pvt Ltd.
The Marathon is also drawing in participation from runners groups all across the country including the Susegaddo Runners Group, Aamhi Antruz Runners, Fitness Freaks from Goa, Goa Toastmasters group and many other small groups too.
With its reputation of having one of the most scenic marathon routes, the event continues to draw the participation of several professional distance runners and locals.
Sponsors of the marathon include Central Bank of India, Dziners, Real Drinks, Carasid, Oakleaf and Quality Foods.
Funds raised through the event will be used to repair and re-build homes for families in need of decent housing and to alleviate the suffering of the homeless and street children.
Matthew Kurian, Founder Trustee El Shaddai Charitable Trust said, “the Goa Marathon is mainly organised to create awareness about health in Goa and encourage more people to run as a habit. Apart from this we are also seeking to create awareness and raise funds for the work of our organisation of addressing the needs of the poor in society.
PTI
