Mangaluru half marathon flags off on Sunday

Run sees overwhelming response from public

Dakshina Kannada Athletic Association (DKAA) in association with Nitte Educational Trust will organise ‘Nitte Mangaluru half marathon-2015’  in Mangaluru on February 22.

Briefing reporters, on Friday, DKAA President Manjunath Bhandary said there was an overwhelming response from the general public.

A total of 14,650 have already registered under various categories.  He said half marathon will be held in eight categories.  They are half marathon for men and women— open category (16 to 45 years), senior category (46- 60 years); 10-km run for men and women—open category (16 to 45 years), senior category (46 to 60 years), veteran category (61 years and above); 5-km run for college boys and girls; five kilometre run for high school boys, three kilometre run for high school girls, three kilometre run for primary school boys; two-km run for primary school girls and  open and non competitive ‘Nama balipuga’ (5-km fun run).

In all the categories except ‘fun run,’ top finishers will be given prizes. The first prize winners in half marathon open category will be Rs 25,000 each men and women, and in senior category Rs 15,000 each.

 The total cash prize is Rs 5.71 lakh. The half marathon stage programme will be attended by Karnataka Athletic Association President Dr G Parameshwara, District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and others.

Federation cup
The DKAA and KAA will jointly organise Federation Cup National Senior Championships in Mangaluru from  May 1 to 4.

Bhandary said that Mangaluru had hosted it way back in 1987. The Federation Cup National Senior championships also assumes significance as the performance of the athletes in this meet will be taken into account to select the Indian participants for the Asian Athletics Championships.

Top athletes from across the country will take part in the meet. A preparatory meeting will be organised by KAA president Dr Parameshwar on February 22.