Tawang: There couldn’t have been any better inaugural edition of the Tawang Marathon on Sunday, jointly organised by the Indian Army and the Arunachal Pradesh government.
The event, a first of its kind in Northeast India, saw enthusiastic participation by the locals and runners from all over the country.
Altogether, 25 states were represented by passionate runners, who participated in four race categories – Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10 Km and 5 Km run.
The local participation, especially by the youth, their support and enthusiasm for the event was phenomenal to put it mildly.
Conducting a Marathon in high-altitude, that too with a disadvantage of long travel time to the nearest airport and railway network was indeed challenging for the organisers.
The high participation achieved would have been inconceivable to the organisers who had been planning the event for the last 11 months.
Against an aim of crossing 1500-2000 participants in the inaugural Marathon, the numbers achieved were much higher – 2,463 valid registration and 2,343 participants, including 511 ladies.
A total of 114 participants, including seven ladies ran the 42 km full marathon. The half marathon (21 kms) saw 314 participants.
Arjun Pradhan of the Indian Army was the winner of the full marathon, and completed the 42 km run in 2 hour and 49 minutes.
Apart from the Indian Army, which organised the event, there was active participation by the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force at the event. All the CAPFs like BSF, CRPF, SSB, CISF, and ITBP also had their teams.
According to some of the experienced marathoners who participated in the event, this is perhaps one of the most challenging high-altitude marathon in India.
Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Earth Sciences, Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Tapir Gao, Member of Parliament, and Lt Gen Manish Erry, GOC Gajraj Corps were present at the award ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Lt Gen Manish Erry said that after a good beginning, he was sure that with each passing year the event will draw more and more participation. He said that this event will benefit the local economy by pulling in more and more tourists, adventure seekers, ultra-athletes.
The GOC also said that the event has achieved its aim of putting Tawang on the Marathon Calendar prominently.
