The eighth edition of the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon will be held on August 25 and 26 with about 23,000 running enthusiasts likely to participate. Registrations close on July 26, said race director Abhijeet Madnurkarector.
“The biggest news for this edition is that the Hyderabad Marathon is in the process of getting the certification by Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. This will be a huge achievement for any certified AIMS marathon route that allows runners to qualify for the world’s major marathons as it has 450 member races in over 120 countries, including 16 in India,” he explained.
Giving the schedule, Mr. Madnurkar says the 5K run, essentially for children, families and beginners, will start from Hi-tech on August 25, followed by a 10K marathon the next day, also starting from Hi-tech and culminating at the Gachibowli Stadium.
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On the other hand, the half-marathon and the full marathon will be flagged off from People’s Plaza.
“Like always, the presence of 3500-volunteer force will attend to the needs of participants and ensure that they are not found wanting for any kind of support on the entire stretch,” he said.
IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao said the government is committed to imparting physical literacy in a big way and added that it will also honour Aishwarya Boddapati, one of the six members of the Indian Navy team which circumnavigated the world recently.
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“You know, there will be oversights on some occasions (on she missing from the list of those honoured by the Government recently). But I can assure you that we will make corrections very soon,” he said.
Aishwarya recalled during the eight-month adventure on sea, they faced the worst possible weather conditions and many other issues.
“But, being a Hyderabadi, I could show the spirit of adventure and sportsmanship of the highest level to overcome all those things successfully. I appeal to participants of Hyderabad Marathon to forget their gender and show the spirit of running,” she said.