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Manipal : The 2019 edition of Manipal Marathon, powered by ICICI Bank, will be held here on February 17. This year about 10,000 runners are expected to take part in four different distances and the marathon this year will carry a prize money of Rs eight lakhs. The races will be flagged off from the road in front of the food court and will end at KMC Greens.

The four categories are; 3km fun run, 5km, 10km and 21.1km. Special untimed 5k and 3k races exclusively for students of Udupi District schools and colleges will also be held to motivate them. The prize money will be for all races. The half marathon (21 km) and the 10 km races will be run in four categories; Open, 35-55, 56 plus and MAHE staff and students. The 5km will have three categories; Open, 35-55 and 56 plus.  

Briefing media persons at Manipal Academy of Higher Education Board Room here on Thursday, MrRAghupathy Bhat, MLA Udupi said, “As in the previous years, this year too runners from all over the country and some from overseas are expected to participate, mainly in the 21km race.

“The theme for this year’s marathon will be ‘Mental Health Awareness’. Mental health disorders affect people of all age groups and from all walks of life, and largely go unnoticed therefore gets ignored. “We hope to spread that message to people from all walks of life during the event,” said Dr H.S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

The special guests who have consented to grace the occasion are Dr. B.N. Gangadhar, Director of NIMHANS and Commander AbhilashTomy of Indian Navy who was the only Asian to have participated in the Golden Globe Race 2018, which entailed a solo circumnavigation of the globe in a non-motorized sail boat.

Elaborate arrangements are being made for a successful conduct of the event which will be organized by Manipal Academy of Higher Education in association with the Udupi District Amateur Athletics Association. The title sponsors being ICICI Bank, Co sponsors are Syndicate Bank and Adaani, Nutrition partners SBI Bank, Medallion partners MI Lifestyle Marketing Global Private Limited, Chennai and  Hydration Partners Elixir. The timing partners MACSHA, Media partners Spandana and Radio Mirchi, Manipal Runners Club and Volunteer Services Organization are all set to make the event memorable. 

Present on the occasion were, Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE Dr PLNG Rao, Registrar, Dr Narayana Sabhahit, Mr Surendra Appicatlaa, Head – East & South Pvt. Banking ICICI Bank Ltd. DGM, Mr B R Hiremath, Deputy Zonal Manager- Zonal Office, Manipal, Dr Vinod Nayak, Sports Secretary MAHE, Dr Shobha, Joint Secretary Sports Council, Mr Robin Singh, former Indian cricketer and Mr Ashok Adyanthaya, President Udupi Athletics Association.