22nd Sikkim Half Marathon attracts 434 runners

GANGTOK, 24 Dec: A total of 434 runners participated in the 22nd edition of Sikkim Half Marathon held today. The half marathon was organized by the Sikkim Amateur Athletic Association [SAAA] in collaboration with Sikkim Tourism Department as a part of Winter Carnival celebrations and was flagged off by the Mayor, KN Topgay from the Paljor Stadium premises.
The Marathon had runners from all four districts of Sikkim including participants from Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Kurseong, Sikkim Police, Sikkim Armed Police, IRBn, ITBP, SSB and Army.
Runners in the Open Category [Men & Women] covered a distance of 21 KM from Paljor Stadium to Bulbuley and back to the starting point, while Under 15 yrs [Boys & Girls] runners covered 15 KM from Paljor Stadium to Bojoghari School and back to the starting point and runners in Under 12 yrs [Boys & Girls] covered 10 KM from Paljor Stadium to Lower Bakthang and back to the starting point.
Before flagging off the Marathon, the Mayor encouraged runners to complete the Marathon. He added that such competitions also teach people to complete all endeavours they set out to fulfill in life.
Tourism Secretary, C Zangpo expressed his best wishes to all runners and urged them to regularly participate in such competitions.
In his welcome address, SAAA president, DIG [Range] Dr MS Tuli informed that the marathon has 52 boys and 10 girls in U-12 category, 62 boys and 25 girls in U-15 category and 238 men and 34 women in Open category. He also urged all runners to complete the marathon. The organizers will also be distributing certificates to all participants.
The prize distribution ceremony was held in the evening at MG Marg. Cash prizes amounting to more than Rs 1.5 lakh were distributed to winners of the different categories.
The youngest participants in the marathon were Gokarna Chettri [Boys] of Modern Secondary school and Dawa Doma Tamang [Girls] of 4th Mile JN Road.