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Udupi : Running as a sport has been taking over the imagination of lakhs of people around the country. Students at the Manipal University also have found the joy in distrance running and have a community of runners known as Manipal runners Club, Spearheaded by the students, who proposed a world class distance running event to the authorities at Manipal University, this idea cayght the imagination of the board of the Manipal University and the decision to host a world  class distance running event – Manipal Marathon, was taken, said Raghupathy Bhat, former MLA and President of Manipal Marathon Committee.

He was addressing to media persons at Udupi Press Club, Raghupathy Bhat said that the first edition of the Manipal Marathon to be held on 5^th March, 2017 will bring in the team from Protons Sports & Fitness, who have conceptualized and executed large marathon events across the country.

There will be four categories to choose from – Half Marathon 21.1km, the Timed 10K, 5K Fun Run, k Walk/Run. This event aims at introducing fitness as a lifestyle to members of the entire community and hence has provided a large range of categories which caters to beginners trying their first time event as well as seasoned runners who would like to run their longest distance yet. This will be timed event recording the timing of each participant in the event, the timing technology is being brought to Udupi region, where timing mats will record the time for every runner. Finisher’s medal with timing certificate will be provided to every 10k and 21k finisher. To promote running in the Udupi area, runners from Udupi Region completing the half marathon in 2.30 hours for Men and 3 hrs for women will be awarded Rs 1000/- each. The route will cater to the hydration needs of runners across all categories, while having the experienced team of Manipal Hospital to aid for any medical requirements.

Students from the Manipal University will be looking at providing photographers and videographers across the route to ensure capture of all candid moments of the participants. Each registered participant will be provided with a goodle bag which will include a t-shirt in addition to the running bib and timing chip. All registrations will be online, at www.manipalmarathon.com. Offline registrations will be available at Manipal University Campus.

This event is joint effort of the Manipal Runner’s Club, Protons Sports and Fitness Pvt. Ltd, Manipal University and Udupi District Amateur Athletic Association. The route takes you from the University campus, to the greenery filled Perampalli road, heading towards Ambagilu road and then coming back to Manipal through the same route. The beautiful route was chalked out by the students of Manipal Runner’s Club.

He said that Manipal Marasthon will be a platform to raise awareness and funds for different causes, the primary cause being Stroke Awareness.

Half Marathon – 21K.M. : First prize Rs. 70,000/- Second Prize Rs 35,000/- and third prize Rs. 20,000/-. Rs. 5,000 prize money will be given to 4^th 10^th place.

10K.M. Run : First prize will be Rs. 10,000/-, Second prize Rs. 7000/- and third prize Rs. 5,000/- In this case there will be three groups like Open group, Udupi district school college male and female students and third will be senior citizens.

Udupi District for the high school students 5 k.m. and for primary school students 3 k.m. organized to support the athletes. For the high school division first prize Rs. 5,000, second Rs 3,000 and third Rs. 2,000 prizes will be given. For primary school students first prize Rs. 3,000, second prize Rs 2,000 and third prize Rs. 1,000 will be given.

Dr. Vinod Nayak Sports Secretary and Secretary of Marathon Committee, Raghuram Nayak, Working President of UDAAA, Praveen Kumar Shetty Secretary of UDAAA, Ashok Adyanthyaya President of UDAAA and other among were present during the press meet on Monday, 30^th January, 2017