JOIN USKMC Greens came alive long before dawn with enthusiastic participants of Manipal Marathon limbering up with a Zumba session.
The marathon, held here on Sunday, had the theme of ‘Run for the Awareness of Stroke.’ It also coincides with the diamond jubilee celebrations of Manipal Institute of Technology.
Naveen Dagarm Asian Games bronze medallist in steeplechase, won the 21.1 kilometres race in the Manipal Marathon held here on Sunday. The winner in the women’s half marathon was Kiran Jithur of Punjab. Both were awarded with cash prizes of Rs 70,000 each.
The winner, Naveen, said he is preparing to take part in the world championship and is undergoing training in Bengaluru. He hails from Haryana. Ranjeet Singh finished second and Santosh third in the men’s half marathon.
Kiran Jithur, who won the first prize in the women’s half marathon, has won two other half marathons in the country recently. Thippavva Sannakki was second and Archana finished third. The second and third finishers in both categories won cash prizes of 35,000 and 20,000 respectively.
The winners in the 10-kilometre race for women was Mamta from Varanasi, Suprita was second and Deeksha third. Pravin Khambal was the winner in the men’s section, Vijay was second and Chetan G J was third. In the 10 kilometres senior women’s category, Yulia came first, Rekha was second and Prameela third. Shankara won the race in the senior men’s category, Vishwanath Kotian was second and Divakar was third.
Nearly 6,000 runners took part in the marathon organised by Manipal University and Udupi Athletic Association. Other than the half marathon, there were 10-kilometre, five- and three-kilometre races. Syndicate Bank and Adani were the sponsors.