Loden runs to keep youth away from drugs!

GANGTOK, 19 May: 24 year old Loden Sherap Lepcha from Dzongu, a second year student here at the Government College, was on his feet for 10 straight hours, not loafing or loitering as would not be out of the ordinary for his age, but running! The youth used his weekend to begin a mission to generate wider awareness against substance abuse and today covered a staggering 65 kilometres running with his message pinned to his chest – “Say no to drugs”.
Loden, who hails from Sakyong in Upper Dzongu, hopes that his solo marathon [although at 65 kms, he ran much longer than a marathon] will inspire more people his age to stay away from drugs and live healthy lives. Loden has never run a marathon before and does not even have school-level experience of long-distance running. What he obviously lacks by way of training, he more than makes up with a healthy lifestyle which made it possible to run the distance today when he found the inspiration in a social cause close to his heart.
Loden began his solo marathon from Titanic Park here this morning at 7:30 a.m., jogging up JN Marg through Tibet Road then to Ganesh Tok, Bulbuley, Pangthang on to Samdong, Makha, Sirwani and finally ending his marathon at Singtam Bazaar at around 5:30 PM.
Loden is a second year BA student at Sikkim Government College.
Speaking to NOW! after completing his grueling marathon, Loden mentioned that his aim was to spread an anti-drugs message among the youth, appealing them to stay away from addictions and to lead healthy lifestyles.
He shared that he was inspired by Sikkim’s own marathoner, Amar Subba of West Sikkim and also draws inspiration from Terry Fox, a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist, who, in 1980, with one leg having been amputated, embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
Loden mentioned that he plans to continue his solo marathon runs to draw wider attention to the problem of substance abuse and to convince more youth to Say No.
He shared that he has been getting consistent support and encouragement from his family and friends. For today’s success, Loden expressed gratitude towards Sherap Lepcha for his encouragement and support and to all his friends who accompanied him during his solo marathon.

Dentam’s Amar Subba runs in 9th at Hyderabad Marathon

GANGTOK, 28 Aug: Sikkim’s Marathon Man Amar Subba of Dentam, West Sikkim, secured the 9th place at the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon 2012 held at Hyderabad GMC Balayogi stadium on 26 August.
The 42-year-old father of two, completed his 42 km run in 3 hrs 19 min.
The first place was secured by an Indian Army’s Anil Thakur clocking in at 2 hrs 52 mins, followed by Scottish Richard McDowell at 2 hrs 59 min and another Indian Jagadeshan Munisamy finishing third place with a time of 3 hrs 1 mins.
“I am happy and proud to represent Sikkim at the national level,” said the Limca Book of Record holder. Before leaving Sikkim, addressing a press meet at Darap, West Sikkim, he had said that his aim was to be in the top-10 at the prestigious marathon.
“There was also an announcement prior to the race that a participant from Sikkim was also taking part in the run, which boosted me up further,” said Mr. Subba. Speaking over the phone from Hyderabad, Mr. Subba said that it was an honour to receive a medal and certificate at the closing function which also saw the presence of the Governor of Andhra Pradesh Governor ELS Narashimhan.
There were participants from all across the country and also from the US and UK. Participants from all walks of life and all age groups got medals he added.
Mr. Subba said that the marathon has encouraged him to compete with athletes of national and international repute. “It’s also a message for the youngsters of Sikkim that if a 42-year-old man can do it why not you,” said Subba.
Winning is not important but to involve oneself and to learn from such great event is much more important, he said.
Mr. Subba is now waiting for confirmation of his participation in Delhi and Mumbai marathons. His dream is to run a high altitude solo marathon from Gangtok to Gurudongmar (17800ft) next year. [from SILASH TAMANG]

Sikkim’s Marathon Man to race in Hyderabad

ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 13 August: The ‘Marathon Man of Sikkim’, Amar Subba, today left to participate in the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon scheduled to be held on 26 August. A function was held at Cherry Village Resort in Darap, West Sikkim chaired by KB Limboo today to wish the 42-year-old runner luck for the 42 km marathon he will be undertaking in Hyderabad.
“My aim is to be in the top 10,” said Amar Subba before leaving Darap.
He stressed that he was undertaking the challenge to inspire the youth of Sikkim in the field. A man of his age competing at the national level should motivate the youth, expressed Mr Subba.
Stating that “age does not bother me,” he added that life is a challenge and one has to accept it.
Mr Subba has brought accolades for the state participating at various national level events. He also informed that he has been getting full support from the Area MLA, PL Subba, DC Santa Pradhan and DPO Jigmee Bhutia.
It may be recalled here that Mr Subba has completed a High Altitude Marathon, participated in Kolkata Amity Marathon and Siliguri Full Marathon. He is the first Indian runner to complete the High Altitude Marathon of 440 kms in just 7 days in severe climatic conditions [-15 degree]. Mr Subba’s next attempt is the Airtel Half Delhi Marathon in September and High Altitude Record Breaking Marathon from Gangtok to Gurudongmar [17800ft] in October.
The function was also attended by Darap Eco-Tourism president Sushil Tamang, Western Modern English School Principal Tarun Ghising, representative from the Darap Srijunga Club Amal Subba, Yatra Travels proprietor Suman Pradhan and SBI Manager Yuksam Ajit Gurung. The programme was hosted by West-South Educated Youth Platfrom coordinator Silash Tamang.

Marathon Man Amar Subba plans to run from Gangtok-Gurudongmar in 24 hrs!

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 22 May: Sikkim’s very own ‘Super Marathon Man’, Amar Subba, is all set to break another incredible record by running nonstop from Gangtok to Gurudongmar Lake in 24 hrs. The spirit to take on this amazing feat of running from an altitude of 5,500 ft to 17,100 ft within a day will also make him the first person in the country to hold a national record for a ‘Nonstop High Altitude Marathon.’
The 42-year-old father of two boys already has his name recorded in the 2012 Limca Book of Records for successfully completing a Solo 440 km Marathon along the foothills of the Himalayas and areas such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and Dooars in 7 days. He started this record breaking feat from his native village in Darap, West Sikkim, at 9:30 a.m. on 17 January 2011and jogged into Gangtok on 23 January. Even during the completion of this super human feat, he had reached an altitude of 12,890 ft while passing into Sandakphu from Chewabhanjyang in the Sikkim side of the border.
“I believe that bad things happen in life to teach us to look at good things in a whole new light,” Amar told NOW! while on his final high altitude practice run from Maneybhanjyang through Sandakphu, Phalut, Chewabhanjyang and then Uttarey which he started yesterday and will complete by tomorrow.  
And for those who are wondering what Amar Subba has been up to these past months, he has run the Amity Kolkata Marathon. Delhi Marathon, the Mumbai Marathon and also the Bangalore Ultra Marathon 2012, all completed with appreciative results before he began his ultra training on specialized high altitude training.
Amar Subba, a self employed professional, is a man possessed who is on a mission to do the most amazing runs across the most treacherous and hostile terrain which he calls his second home. Mountain runs came as an inspiration when he led trekking groups across the Singhalila Range, ‘The mountains that gleam with inviting splendor ask me to come back every morning when I open my windows”, is how the man puts it.
His love for the mountains, his determination, his unfaltering spirit and moreover the support from his family, friends and his well wishers from across the world have motivated him to do what would seem impossible for any sane person, but for Amar Subba this is just another record he wants to break before he starts on an even more daunting task.
Before the phone network went down, Amar was on his way from Maneybhanjyang to Sandakphu in today’s trial run which he started at around 11am, he informed that he will reach Sandakphu within 4 hrs, an incredible practice session since the man is only on a diet of low fat food like dry fruits, high protein and water.
“I have to run light which is why I cannot carry very heavy loads, but during my training sessions I am carrying extra weight because it will boost my run to Gurudongmar Lake. For me the lack of oxygen will prove to be a major factor but my training here is preparing me for that,” Amar mentions. He also says that extreme conditions in the mountains up north is also a factor he realizes since he has been there on some occasions for which he has intensified his training.
It may also be informed that Amar is being supported by a Core Committee with members from Darap, Yuksom and Gyalshing who are helping with organizing the run which is scheduled for 01 June next month. With only 9 days in his kitty before the big day, Amar says he feels fitter than ever before.
“I have never let my well wishers down and even if I am 42 years old, age is no barrier. I will do everyone proud and will engrave my name in the national record,” he assures.

Namchi runs for unity on Republic Day

NAMCHI, 27 Jan: The 63rd Republic Day was celebrated in Namchi at the Community Hall with the Namchi-Singithang MLA, Binod Rai as chief guest.
The first half of the programme had the customary Republic Day events. In the second session of celebrations, which was held at the Central Park, the chief guest flagged off a marathon - ‘Run for the Unity of the Country’ jointly organised by the District Administrative Centre Namchi, Sports and Youth Affairs Department and Nehru Yuva Kendra, Namchi Chapter.
The marathon was held in the Under 14 boys and girls (10 kms) and 15 to 35 years male (21 kms) and female (15 kms) categories. The winners were awarded with cash prize and certificates by the chief guest.
In the Under 14 girls, Reena Harijan bagged the first position and cash prize of Rs 5000 followed by Deepika Kari and Renuka Sharma coming in second and third respectively bagging cash prizes of Rs 3000 and Rs 2000.
In the Under 14 boys, Debesh Budathoki won the marathon while Rahul Chettri and Tika Ram Nirola came in second and third respectively. The winners were awarded with cash prize of Rs 5000, Rs 3000 and Rs 2000 respectively.
In the 15 to 35 yrs female category, Mangali Tamang, Anita Dhakal and Dolma Sherpa stood in the first, second and third positions respectively. The winners were awarded Rs 10,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 5000 respectively.
Likewise, in the males category for the same age group, Nima Tshering Tamang won the marathon for the 2nd year and took home a cash prize of Rs 15,000 while Prable Chettri and Jai Badhur Pradha came in second and third respectively and bagged Rs10,000 and Rs 7,000 respectively.
During the function the chief guest also presented Certificates of Appreciation sponsored by District Administrative Centre, Namchi, to selected Government Officers and their team for their commendable efforts in the aftermath of the 18 Sept earthquake.
ADC [South], SL Rai, ADC [Dev], DK Pradhan, ADC East, Suman Thapa who was SDM at Namchi earlier, SDM Namchi [SDM Chungthang at present], RK Yadav, SDM (Ravangla), PK Rai, Under Secretary RMDD, Bandana Chettri, DPO SDZP, Yangchen D Tamang, US HRDD, Subha Mukhia, DE Building and Housing, Milan Pradhan, SDPO Jorethang, BB Subba, BDO team of Temi, Yanggang, Namthang, Ravangla, Sikkip, Sumbuk were awarded the certificates.

The gathering was also entertained by a District Level Culture Competition organised by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Namchi Chapter. Sangam Samaj group from Borong were adjudged as the winners of the competition and were awarded cash prize of Rs 5,000 which was sponsored by the chief guest.

Run for Unity this Republic Day

GANGTOK, 13 Jan: A ‘Run for the Unity of the Country’ event is being organized by the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs [SYA], Namchi, in association with District Administrative Centre [Namchi] and Nehru Yuva Kendra [Namchi] on the occasion of Republic Day on 26 January at Namchi.
The decision to organize this event was taken at a meeting held at the Namchi DAC and attended by the officials and representatives from SYA, DAC and NYK on 11 January.
The event will have Men’s Open Half Marathon of 21 kms for the 14-35 age-group and a prize money of Rs. 15,000 for the winner, Rs. 10,000 for the runner-up and a third prize of Rs. 7,000. The Women’s Open, a 15 km race, again for the age-group of 14-35 yrs, has prizes of Rs. 10,000, Rs. 7,000 and Rs. 5,000 for first, second and third positions respectively. The final event will be the U-14 boys and girls Cross Country Race with Rs. 5000, Rs. 3000, and Rs. 2000 as first, second and third prizes respectively.
The Sports & Youth Affairs [Namchi] Assistant Director, NK Chettri informs that the main objective of the event is to promote national integration and unity among the people and also to encourage the youth and children towards sports.