Around 20,000 people have registered online and offline for Dehradun half marathon, an Uttarakhand police initiative, christened as ‘run for road safety and run for women safety’ slated at police lines on Sunday.
State Director General of police Anil K Raturi would flag off the run while chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat would present prizes to the winners, informed the State additional director general of police (law and order) Ashok Kumar on Friday.
He said that nearly 20, 000 people from 26 different states have registered their names as participants both online and offline. “Eleven foreigners, seven from Kenya, three from Ethiopia and one from USA, have also registered for this run. Nearly 4500 students of 123 schools are also participating in the 21 kilometre run. While 5064 persons, including 540 women, are participating in 21 km run 10, 225 people, including 2044 women, are participating in the seven km run,” he said.
While the 21 kilometre run would start from Police lines, traverse through Race Course, EC Road, Rajpur Road, Canal Road and Kath Bangla and retunrn to police lines the seven kilometre run would start from Race Course, pass through EC Road and Survey Chowk and retrun to police lines. Participants have been advised to reach the police lines by 6.30 am. Along the marathon route, volunteers, water points and medical facility would be available.
Kumar further said that half- marathon held last year was themed on drug abuse and corruption in public life. “Enthused by its success, we are hosting the same this year too with the theme being road safety and women security,” he said.
Two runs-21 kilometres and seven kilometres- have been kept for the half marathon. “In 21 kilometer run, two categories like open and masters (45+) have been kept. In seven kilometre, three categories - junior (12-18 yeras), open and masters (45+) have been kept. Men and women have been kept in two separate categories. Cash award of Rs 10l would be distributed among the winners. Besides, finishers’ medals would be given to the participants who would finish their run.