Kenyan runners hog limelight in Manipal Marathon

Manipal Marathon 2019 turned out be a success with over 10,000 runners taking part in the four different categories on Sunday.

There were participants from Germany, Nairobi (Kenya), Sri Lanka and Ethiopia. But the Kenyan runners hogged the limelight in the marathon, organised by Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Udupi District Athletic Association.

Ibrahim and Isaac from Kenya finished first and third respectively in the 21 kilometres Men’s Open category with Parasappa coming second in the race. Binu Peter had Mahakuteshwar breathing down his neck in the 21- km MAHE Men’s race. He eventually managed to win the first place by a whisker. Sudeep was way behind with a third finish.

Eunice, also a Kenyan, won the MAHE women’s category comfortably. Christina and Chitrali came second and third respectively in the race.

Even in the 21-km Open event Archana did not have much competition from her rivals and she won with ease. Shalini ran in about 10 minutes later with Priyanka behind her by another five minutes.

The Marathon this year had attractions like Zumba, laughter yoga by laughter guru Madan Kataria, games and fun, organised by Volunteer Services Organisation on KMC Greens and stalls by Health Sciences institutions to create awareness on the theme, “Mental Health Awareness”.

MAHE Vice Chancellor Dr H Vinod Bhat said that efforts would be made to raise the level of Manipal Marathon next year by introducing the full marathon. He also said that the next Marathon would be held on February 9, 2020.

Pro Chancellor, Dr H S Ballal also spoke. The presence of Commander Abhilash Tomy of Indian Navy, the only Asian to have participated in the Golden Globe Race 2018, which entailed a solo circumnavigation of the globe in a non-motorised sail boat was encouraging for the participants.

Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat was present on the occasion.

Results

21-Km MAHE men—Binu Peter 1:19.05; Mahakuteshwar 1:19.38; Sudeep Kumar 1:26.28; Mukul 1:34.51; Ishan Trivedi 1:36.28.

21-Km Open men—Ibrahim 1:08.58; Parasappa 1:09.01; Isaac 1:10.34; Pravesh 1:12.21; Lingaraj 1:13.16.

21-km MAHE Women—Eunice – 1:19.10; Christina 1:24.53; Chitrali Khanna 1:54.55; Josmy 2:06:14; Ankitha 2:10.23.

21-km Open Women—Archana 1:27.28; Shalini 1:36.06; Priyanka 1:40.41; Sowmya 1:46.36; Anita 1:48.54.

10-Km MAHE Women—Priya 46:42; Neha 55.24; Emma 58:20.

10-Km Open Male—Emanuel 32: 14; Prashanth 32:31;Mikiyas 33:24; Raju 33:24; Vasudev 34:00.

10-Km MAHE Men—Sandeep 32:32, Sajan Kuriakose 38:38, Deborshi 45:27.

5-Km Open Men—Basavaraj GS 15:31, Neelappa 15:38, Chandan 15:50, Prashanth 16:01, Hanumesh 16:02.

5-Km Open Women—Priya 18:14, Suma 18:39, Deeksha B 19:46.