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Vizag hosts first ever night marathon
It was festive atmosphere all over the beach as thousands of spectators came to witness the event. Another hallmark was participation of an 80-year-old woman Mrutyamalaxmi in the race which triggered excitement among thousands of viewers. Later, Ministers and local MLAs felicitated the aged woman for her daunting spirit.
Visakhapatnam: Braving inclement weather, thousands of local people took part in the India’s first ever night marathon held at the picturesque beach road on Saturday evening.
It was festive atmosphere all over the beach as thousands of spectators came to witness the event. Another hallmark was participation of an 80-year-old woman Mrutyamalaxmi in the race which triggered excitement among thousands of viewers. Later, Ministers and local MLAs felicitated the aged woman for her daunting spirit.
According to reports, 7,500 people from all age groups participated in the marathon, while three times more of that number witnessed the event and cheered the runners.
In fact, the participants enjoyed running amidst colourful lights all around, music bands performing, artists dancing around the tracks and popular numbers booming throughout their way, while bay affect topped it all.
Earlier, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who was greeted with thunderous cheers by participants flagged off the, 3k and 5k run and the marathon included half marathon, 10K, 5K and 3K categories. Later, Naidu and Ministers felicitated the winners of various categories of run.
Neelima, who scaled the Mount Everest also participated in the run and was felicitated by the Chief Minister and other dignitaries.
To entertain and ensure energetic atmosphere, cultural programmes like Dhimsa dance of Araku, Kommu dance, Tappedagullu, Puliveshalu, Koya dance, Katthi Saamu, Punjabi dhol, Sannai, were performed at 24 spots along the course from Kalimatha temple to GITAM. The rock band belted out favourite numbers in Hindi and Telugu as the participants kept swaying to the tunes.
Foreigners from nine countries including from UK, US, Canada, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Switzerland and Kenya participated in the run. While Deepak Kumar from Vizag and Srinu from Vizianagram clinched the first position in 21.1 k and 10k espectively.Addressing the gathering, Naidu said hereafter marathon and cycling would be held in every district.
