News and Pics by Ancy DSouza Paladka
Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 29: The third Vasai-Virar Mayor’s Marathon wasflagged off  on October 27. The central theme, was hosted by the twin towns of Vasai-Virar in Maharashtra, India.

“Save the Girl Child and Maintain Nature’s Balance” is the important message the Vasai-Virar Mayor’s Marathon hopes to spread, far and wide among the villages of Vasai-Virar Taluka.  The event is approved from the Athletics Federation of India and it became a national-level event.

Races were held in 17 categories and Rs 17 lakh and above were offered as prize money and gifts were distributed. The first prize winner of The Open Full Marathon for men was Rs 2 lakh, with the second and third place finishers winning Rs 1,10,000 and Rs 60,000 respectively.

The Open Half Marathon for men and women was with a  first prize of Rs 1 lakh, with the second and third place winning Rs 60,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively.

The Open Full Marathon (42.195 kms) for men and the above 50 years Full Marathon for men started and finished at the new Viva College (Virar, West). The Half Marathon (21.097 kms) for Men & Women and Above 50 years (Men & Women) began at the entrance of Vasai Tahsildar Office Kacheri, opposite Vasai Court, Vasai Village.

Besides the open Full Marathon and the Half Marathons, races were held for men above 50 (full marathon); men & women above 50 (half marathon); Boys under-18 (11 kms); girls under-18 (7 kms); boys 12 to 14 (3 kms); girls 12 to 14 (3 kms); boys 10 to 12 (1.5 kms); girls 10 to 12 (1.5 kms); men & women above the age of 50 (3 kms), men & women above 60 (1 km) and a Wheelchair event (1 km).

Besides these races there was a Fun Run of 3 km, targeting people from all strata of life. This Fun Run encouraged the social groups, housing societies, clubs and individuals who came dressed in costumes and won several prizes.

The concept of promoting talents and athletes in various sports activities is always supported by Virar-Vasai Municipal Corporation.

The first Mayor Marathon was started in the year 2011 to promote the talent of local Vasai-Virar people. The  region has produced a great number of sportsmen who have done International and National duty for the country. 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, to name a few.

As the third Vasai-Virar Mayor’s Marathon had the sanction of the AFI as well as the Maharashtra Athletics Association and officials from all over the state deployed to oversee the technical conduct of the event.

The event also enjoyed the complete support of the Thane Rural Police to ensure the safe and successful conduct of the event. Besides the technical officials, there were around 100 pilot bikes and around 1000 volunteers who assisted in its smooth conduct.