A pair of bullocks from Avaniapuram in Madurai clinched the first prize and a cash award of Rs.25,000 in a ‘rekla’ race held at Ayyampalayam near Batlagundu on Sunday.
Bullock cart rider Sarathi was honoured with one sovereign gold chain. A majority of prizes were garnered by the bullock owners in Madurai district.
Under big bullock category, Mohansamy of Avaniapuram in Madurai got the first prize. Second prize went to Murugan of Madurai and Premnath of Upparpatti in Theni district got the third prize.
In mid-size bullock category, bullocks owned by Karuppathevar of Markankottai bagged the first prize. The second prize was clinched by Selakariamman of Paravai in Madurai and third prize by Sethu Raj of Madurai.
A total of 200 competitors with twin bullock carts from 10 districts, including Dindigul, Theni, Madurai, Thanjavur and Tirunelveli, lined up on the Dindigul Main Road to take part in the event.
The police closed the main road converting it into a race track.
While the big bullocks had to cover 12 km, the target for medium-size bullocks was seven km.
Former Revenue Minister I. Periasamy honoured the winners with shields, cash awards and mementoes.
