Mangaluru, February 23: Enthusiastic citizens of all ages participated in large numbers in the Nitte Mangaluru half marathon and 10 km run organized by Dakshina Kannada Athletic Association (DKAA) here on Sunday February 22nd.
The event was flagged off at 6 am. As many as 20,000 participants of all ages, men and women and boys and girls took part in the marathon. The marathon passed through Lady Hill, Mannagudda, Car Street, Navabharat Circle, PVS, MG Road and back to Mangala stadium.
Various categories of the event was inaugurated by Athlete Ashwini Nachappa, KPCC president Dr Parameshwar, health minister U T Khadar, sports minister Abhaychandra Jain, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, and district incharge minister Ramanath Rai. Vinaya Hegde Chairman- Nitte Education Trust, Mayor Mahabala Maarla, and others were present.
The event was organized with an aim to create awareness among the youth about sports and fitness and to stress on the need to channelize their energy in right direction.
The event comprised both competitive and non-competitive categories. The half marathon had two categories namely open category (16-45 years) and senior category (46-60 years). The 10 km run consisted of three categories – open category (16-45 years), senior category (46-60 years), and veteran category (61 years and above).
To draw youngsters to the event, the half marathon also comprised of a competitive category of 5 km run for college and high school boys and girls, and 3 km and 2 km runs for primary school boys and girls respectively. An open and non-competitive ‘Nama Balipuga 5 km Fun Run’ was also held.
Top six winners under the open category (16-45 years) of half marathon and 10 km run received special cash prizes. Top three winners under senior category (46-60) of half marathon and 10 km run as well as top three winners under veteran category of 10 km run were awarded the prizes.
