The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Registration begins for Chennai Marathon

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Friday, Aug 01, 2008
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Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Registration begins for Chennai Marathon

Staff Reporter

Event will be held on August 31; total prize money is Rs. 70 lakh

CHENNAI: There is big prize money to be won in this year’s Marg Chennai Marathon in aid of Givelife Charity that will be held on August 31.

The total prize money is Rs.70 lakh. The registration drive for the marathon was officially launched on Thursday with Congress leader Karthi P.Chidambaram signing the first participation form.

Tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, who was the chief guest, hoped that the Chennai Marathon would grow to be talked about on par with the Boston Marathon. Mr. Chidambaram said sports must be made a compulsory school subject.

Father Jegath Gaspar Raj, co-founder of Givelife said the first prize in the professional category for the 21.09 km run was Rs.10 lakh each for the winners in the male and female categories. The second prize was Rs.5 lakh and the third prize Rs. 3 lakh. “Special awards worth Rs.5.6 lakh would be given to Tamil Nadu runners,” he added.

Akhila Srinivasan of Shriram Group and Chairperson of Givelife said the charity, which was started 14 months ago by supporting 200 students now supports the education of 13,600 students. Marg’s Chairman and Managing Director G.R.K. Reddy said the marathon was about bringing out the spirit of the city of Chennai. “Corporates need to look at inclusive growth,” he added.

Squash champions Deepika Pallikal and Joshna Chinnappa and other sportspersons including Mohammed Riyaz and R. Nataraj were present at the launch. Registration for the marathon can be made online on www.givelifechennaimarathon.com or at designated locations. For information, call Goodwill Communications office on 24994344/24980201/24990201. The registration fee is Rs.100.

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