Sachin Tendulkar flagged off the CRPF Half Marathon at the JN Stadium here. Besides Tendulkar, Olympic wrestlers Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, boxer Vijender Singh, Bollywood actor Nana Patekar and other luminaries from film industry and sports arena attended the event to boost the morale of participants.
The organisers dedicated the event in the memory of CRPF personnel who sacrificed their lives.
A CRPF officer RK Singh, awarded the 'Shaurya Chakra' for a daring operation against Naxals in 2011, displayed his mettle when he ran a short distance on prosthetic blades to salute martyrs. The 38-year-old, who undertook the shorter version of the half-marathon with his 12-year-old son Prakhar by his side, was lauded for his grit by Tendulkar.
“I salute your courage. You are an inspiration. We are just sports persons but you are the true achievers,” Sachin told Singh as he met him on the flag off dais.
The officer, who has been promoted as a Deputy Commandant in CRPF has become the first blade runner hailing from security forces to run a marathon like sporting event.
“I am enthused to undertake this new challenge. It’s not difficult. Today I am just taking the fun run but I will train further to run seriously and as competitively as possible,” Singh said.