This year, the Hyderabad Marathon in its fifth edition, has attracted a record number of 14,000 participants, who will be in action in the fifth edition of the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon to be held in the city on August 29 and 30 and will have a significant change in the running atmosphere with 22 air stations for the runners to cool themselves down on their way to the podium finish.
Dr. Murali Nannapaneni, the race director, said that the event spread over two days will feature 3K and 5K Runs on August 29 and then the more important 10K, half-marathon and full-marathon on August 30.
Marathons start from People’s Plaza at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. and culminate at Gachibowli Stadium, while the 3K and the 5K Runs from the Hi-Tex Exhibition Grounds at 7.30 a.m. One of the salient features of the event will be a 36-hour run by Arun Bhardwaj on treadmill, an ultra marathon runner, who became the first Indian to win a 567 km, six- day race at Hekpoort in South Africa in 2010, he said, addressing press persons.
Actor Daggubati Rana said the marathon should showcase the city’s grandeur and cultural heritage. “I do strongly believe that this has a bigger appeal than many of the similar events that are being held in India,” he remarked.
Jayesh Ranjan, IT Secretary, said the government was proud to be associated with the event and that its flagship programme – Digital Telangana, will be part of this edition.
“We want to popularise the theme of the programme which is ‘Internet for All’ and ‘Ushering in Digital Democracy’ aiming to develop digital infrastructure and deliver more citizen services under digital realm,” he explained.
“The government is extending full support from its side to this marathon which it looks as an event to showcase Hyderabad as the happening city,” Mr. Jayesh Ranjan pointed out.
Dr. Vijay Raghavan, CEO Bharti Airtel (AP and Telangana), said they were not looking at the event as a marquee event as part of CSR to promote the city’s brand value as they do across India.
“We are really glad with the tremendous response which is evident by the presence of 3,000 volunteers and we promise to extend our support to this event in the years to come,” he pointed out.
