Mangalore: Thousands enthusiasts run for a greener city

Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 20 February 2011: Thousands enthusiasts ran in the first Vijaya Bank half-marathon, a sports event organised by the Dakshina Kannada district administration with the idea of promoting clean, green, progressive Mangalore, here on Sunday. The district administration has roped in the former glamour girls of Indian athletics including the redoubtable Payyoli Express P T Usha, as well as Vandana Rao, Reeth Abraham, and Vandana Shanbhog which draw in the people and fitness freaks alike.

 

While the half-marathon saw the participants chart a distance of 21 km, the mini-marathon was more on the lines of a cross country sprint for the athletically minded over a distance of six km which commenced from Nehru Maidan at 6:30 am and 7:00 am respectively. The event saw the male athletes start off first in the half-marathon followed by the women competitors and this was followed by starts for participants in the mini-marathon for men and women.

 

After flagging off the Half Marathon, District In-charge Minister Krishna J Palemar expressed hope that the event will emerge as an annual feature on the lines of similar events in Bangalore or Chennai. Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav said the event is the first such experiment by the administration of using sports for a social cause of projecting the need for sustainable development and not losing sight of environmental concerns while treading the path of development.

 

 

The half marathon passed through Pandeshwar, Mangaladevi, Jeppu Market, Valencia, Kankanady, Jyoti Circle, Hampankatta, Navabharath Circle, PVS Circle, City Hospital, Nantoor, Kadri Park, Battagudde, Kadri Kambla Junction, Pinto Bakery Junction, Bejai Road, KSRTC, Kuntikan Road, Infosys, Urwa Store and Chilimbi, before concluding at Mangala Stadium.

 

The mini marathon took the route of Hampankatta, Tagore Park, Jyoti Circle, Bunts Hostel, Karangalpady, Jail Road, Canara College Road, M G Road, Lady Hill, Press Club, Corporation Bank Library Road, and concluded at Mangala Stadium.

 

As stated by DC Subodh Yadav earlier, the district administration has made certain changes in the movement of traffic during the course of the event to facilitate its smooth conduct, and had urged people to cooperate with the police.