3,000 marathoners take over Navi Mumbai's Kharghar streets on Sunday, urging people to say no to alcohol

NAVI MUMBAI: The streets of Kharghar were taken over by over 3,000 athletes from Raigad, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mumbai participating in the first local marathon of the season on Sunday.
The marathon started from Hiranandani circle and continued along Utsav Chowk, Central Park and Tata Hospital. Prize money of Rs 1.11 lakh was given to the winners.
This was the third edition of the monsoon marathon, which is organized in Kharghar by Kharghar Gymkhana Sports Association (KGSA). "The marathon was organized to create awareness of fitness and health and for maintaining Kharghar as no alcohol zone. The response was quite healthy," said Gurunath Gaikar, former deputy sarpanch of Kharghar and head of KGSA.
Bollywood actors Sudeepa Singh and Vikrant Rai came to encourage the participants and create awareness about the ill-effects of alcohol. Singh ran along with the participants for a while. "It is good to see so many enthusiastic athletes participating in the marathon for a good cause," said Singh.
Former Indian hockey player Mir Ranjan Negi was also there to root for the marathoners. "I am delighted to have won the first marathon of the season and it will keep me motivated for other races," said seasoned marathoner Neelam Rajput from Uran, who won the women's open group.
The event was split into five categories for male and female participants. The main 16-km event was open for men and women. Kids in the age group of 5-8 ran for 1.5km while participants aged 9-12 ran 3km. A distance of 7km was designed for children aged 13-16 while senior citizens ran for 2km.