Hundreds of running enthusiasts, including athletes, turned up at Chamundi Vihar stadium early on Sunday morning to participate in the half marathon and other runs organised as part of the Mysuru Dasara.
Even though the number of athletes participating in the 11th edition of the Mysuru Dasara half marathon was limited, hundreds of youngsters enrolled themselves for the shorter races of 10K, 5K and 3K, all of which were flagged off from the stadium.
While the 10 K run was organised exclusively for college boys, two separate 5 K runs were organised for college girls and school boys. The 3 K run was organised for school girls.
A large number of participants also danced to the music played out at the venue ahead of the run, which was flagged off by international athlete Arjun Devaiah in the presence of Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Abhay Chandra Jain, Mayor R. Lingappa, M.K. Somashekar, MLA, Mysuru Zilla Panchayat president Pushpa Amarnath and Superintendent of Police Abhinav Khare.
Mr. Arjun Deviah called upon the participants to make running part of their lifestyle to keep themselves fit in the interest of their health.
Around 500 people participated in the Open Run of 5K dedicated to the cause of farmers. As many as 200 of them finished the race and became eligible to receive a certificate.
The men’s half marathon of 21.1 kms, which attracted about 65 athletes, last year’s winner B.C. Thilak, who represents Air Defence Centre, Punjab, aced others with a timing of 55 minutes and 34.13 seconds, followed by Chethan G.J. of University of Mysore with a timing of 55 minutes and 39.12 seconds. Doddappaji of Gundlupet came third with a timing of 1 hour and 19 seconds.
Similiarly, in women’s half marathon, Thippavva Sannakki of South Western Railways, Mysuru, won the first place with a timing of 1 hour, three minutes and 12 seconds. She was followed by S. Ashwini and S. Vinutha, who came second and third, respectively, with a timing of 1 hour, 31 minutes and 38 seconds and one hour and 32 minutes and 33 seconds. Only eight athletes participated in the women’s category of who four finished the race.
The winners in both men and women’s category received a cash price of Rs. 15,000, Rs. 12,000 and Rs. 10,000 for first, second and third place, respectively.
The winners in all the races except for the Open Run of 5 K were given away certificates and medals along with cash prizes.
