Mumbai: Hundreds Vie for Prizes Worth Rs 15 Lac in First Vasai Marathon
News and pics by Ancy D'Souza Paladka
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 18: The first Vasai Marathon to spread the message "Save the Girl Child and Maintain Nature’s Balance” flagged off at 7 am on Sunday September 18.
Former Asian track queen P T Usha is the brand ambassador of the event. The marathon offers prize money in excess of Rs 15 lac and is spread across the 10 race categories to attract the best athletes from the state. The event, flagged off from Viva College in Virar, will pass through Nallasopara and Vasai before finishing in Varar. The organisers expect 25,000 participants in various categories.
The Open Full Marathon for men offers a first prize of Rs 1 lac, with the second and third place winners getting Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively. The Open Half Marathon for women offers a first prize of Rs 51,000, with the second and third place winners taking home Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively. The top three winners will also be presented with trophies.
While there is a prize money for the top ten places, those finishing between 11th and 20th positions will be given gift vouchers, while those between 21st to 100th positions will get certificates.
Participants who complete the Full Marathon and Half Marathon will be awarded medals.There are also separate prizes for the toppers from Vasai-Virar taluk.
Besides the Full Marathon and the Half Marathon, track events are being held for men under-20 (11kms); boys under-17 (7 kms); girls under-17 (5 kms); boys under-14 (5 kms); girls under-14 (3 kms); men and women above the age of 50 (3 kms) (1 km) and a fun run (3 kms).
The open Full Marathon for men and open half marathon for women flagged off at 7 am; followed by the 5-km run for girls under-17 at 7.10 am; the 11-km run for boys under-20 at 7.20 am; the 7-km run for boys under-17 at 7.30 am.; the 3-km run for boys under-14 at 7.45 am; the 3-km run for girls under-14, the senior citizens run (above 50) at 10.15 am and the Dhamaal Run at 10.30 am.
Rajiv Patil, mayor of Vasai Virar Muncipal Corporation said that there are 14 water stations along the route, from which around 60,000 200 ml bottles of water are being distributed during the event. Besides water, around 6,000 tetra packs of energy drink Enerzal is also being distributed. To ensure a safe run for the participants, there are base medical camps at Viva College, nine medical stations along the race route, with 76 doctors from Seven Hills Hospital, supported by doctors from the Vasai-Virar Mahanagar Pallika. There are eight fully equipped cardiac ambulances stationed along the route as well as arrangements with 17 mini hospitals along the route to handle any emergencies. The participants are provided a traffic-free route to ensure a satisfying running experience, besides which refreshment packages are provided to participants of all race categories. Free transport to and from Virar station to the start/finish point is be provided on race day to ensure that participants reach the venue without undue hassle.
The Vasai-Virar region has produced a great number of sportsmen who have played at the international and national levels and they will now have important roles to play in conducting the first Vasai-Virar Mayor's Marathon. Some of the prominent names are Olympian Anand Menezes, Vijay Choudhary, Kelzi Dias, Macson D’Silva, Gautami Raut, Meghana Dewang, Harshad Mhatre, Rohan Rewale, Ramashankar Bharti, Darshana Khandekar, Ankush Padwale, Saraswati Jaiswal, Kajal Dalvi and Priyanka Golipkar.