Flying start to Surat night marathon

SURAT: An estimated 55,000 enthusiastic runners from children of all ages to 20 to 59-year-old men and women participated in the first full night marathon that was held in the city on Sunday. The athletes, including 30 international and 55 national runners, were cheered up by over seven lakh people all along the 41.195 km long route that passed through Umra and Athwa municipal zones, which were engulfed in a festive mood.Flying Sikh Milkha Singh flagged off the half marathon and full marathon while the 5-km Surti Lala Masti run was flagged off by chief minister Narendra Modi. The sporting event was organized by Surat Marathon company to raise funds for the CCTV camera project of Surat police and for the treatment of cancer patients.Speaking on the occasion, Modi said, "Milkha Singh is an inspiration to the youth of the nation. I congratulate you all for participating in the marathon in such large numbers." The chief minister earlier laid the foundation stone for a housing scheme for urban poor and inaugurated two flyovers in the city.Playback singer Shreya Ghosal, television actor Sweta Tiwari, police commissioner Rakesh Asthana, municipal commissioner Manoj Das, mayor Niranjan Janjmera, CR Patil, MP, Darshana Jardosh, MP, and several MLAs were present at Maniba Grounds from where the marathon was flagged off.Ashok Desai said, "This should become an annual event. My son is running half marathon." Ramesh Despande had brought his seven-year-old daughter along. He said, "My daughter is interested in athletics."1. Full Marathon of 42.195 km - 5312. Half Marathon of 21.0975 km - 2,8413. 10K run - 3,8174. Surti Lala Masti run (5 km) - over 48,0005. Spirit of Surat run (1 km) - 1506. Senior Citizens run (2 km) - 200Among the prominent participating international and national athletes were Kennedy Melly (Kenya), Zachary Kihara Njoroje (Kenya), Matthew Koechy (Kenya), Simon Gitebi Kasimili (Kenya), Emmanuel Chamer (Kenya), Lukas Wambua Muteti (Kenya), Andrew Kimanthi (Kenya).Amos Koech Limakori (Kenya), Hellen Jepkosgei Kimutai (Kenya), Gladys Jepkechei (Kenya), Rebby Koech (Kenya), Meseret Eshetu Deme (Ethiopia), Prahlad S Meena, Arjun Ram, Elam Singh, Rashpal Singh, Inderjit Yadav, K C Ramu, Krishan Singh, Neerajpal Singh, Satyabhan, Amritpal Singh, Adesh Kumar and Vikas Kumar.