E-Paper
TAKE FIVE
Stage is all set to hold the Indira marthon. This time record number of participants will take part in marathon. Till Friday, we have registered more than 3000 participants and all attempts are being made to enhance this number upto 5000 persons by Saturday evening. Last year only 2500 persons took part.
1. How are the preparations going on for the 22nd All India Prize Money Indira Marathon ?
Stage is all set to hold the Indira marthon. This time record number of participants will take part in marathon. Till Friday, we have registered more than 3000 participants and all attempts are being made to enhance this number upto 5000 persons by Saturday evening. Last year only 2500 persons took part.
As many as 1500 officials have been working together round the clock as part of marathon preparations.
2 Despite having completed 22 years, Indira Marathon has not yet been brought on international map. Why ?
This marathon was basically started on November 19, 1984 to commemorate the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's birth anniversary with an objective of promoting harmony in the society. Therefore, the race is just meant for promoting sports spirit.
3 Is there any your plan to accord international status to Indiramarathon ?
Definitely, I have reached a conclusion that merely running for sports spirit does not have much value unless we make it a competitive one. I would do my best to see this race at international level from next year. For this we have to complete certain formalities as fixed by Athletics Federation of India. Sports Minister and Principal Secretary of Sports who are coming to marathon as chief guests at valedictory and inaugural sessions respectively , would be requested to do the needful for putting race on international map.
4 What are other new steps being taken up for marathon ?
Considering no improvement in timings of completing the marathon by winners in last several years, I would like to fix up the new challenge of timing of 2:20:11 hours. Additional prize money will be given to achiever every year. If no one is found winner the additional amount would be deposited for next year. This step will certainly bring competition in the race.
5 Any celebrity taking part in this year's marathon ?
We have got confirmations from ex Indian Hockey captain Mohammed Shaid, Abhinn Shyam Gupta, Bahadur Prasad both Arjun Awardees, Mohammed Aslam and Pramod Tiwari for taking part in marathon.
