Tata Steel has announced the launch of its annual Run-a-thon in Odisha. The event titled Tata Steel Bhubaneswar Run-a-thon will be held for the first time in the State capital on February 15 wherein the participants are required to run 10 km. It may be mentioned that 10 km is the internationally approved distance for road races by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
For the event, Tata Steel’s Sports Department will get internationally recognised technology and tracking mechanisms for the first time in Odisha, thus enabling the runners to have a professional sporting experience. Arun Misra, vice president, Gopalpur Project, Tata Steel unveiled the logo and website of Tata Steel Bhubaneswar Run-a-thon and formally launched it. Briefing on the event, Farzan Heerjee, Chief, guest relations and sports, Tata Steel informed that apart from the 10-km run, which is open to all, there will be a 7-km run for corporates and institutions, a 5-km run for schoolchildren and a 3-km race for differently-abled persons.
The reporting time for all races will be 5.30 am. The run, starting from Kalinga stadium will go up to Tanishq showroom at Chandrasekharpur, take a u-turn from there and end at the Kalinga stadium. The runners will be given smart RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips to track the participants’ performance and location. There will be awards in 5 different categories with the highest prize money of Rs51,000 going to the winner of the 10-km run. There will be separate registration fee for corporates, institutes and individual participants.