By IANS
New Delhi : The Mawana Sugars Indian Open marathon may well be the first event to have a direct connection with the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The race to be run on Dec 23 in the Capital, will follow the route worked out by the Delhi Traffic Police for the Commonwealth Games marathon in 2010.
The Mawana Sugars Marathon, which has been given the official recognition of the Athletics Federation of India and accorded the national status by AFI, will be flagged off at 9.00 a.m. from Guru Harkrishan Public School, Purana Qila Road, New Delhi on Dec 23.
Announcing the details in a press conference here Saturday, Siddharth Shriram, Chairman, Mawana Sugars Limited, informed that this Marathon will be the first event to be run on the route worked out by the Delhi Traffic Police for the Commonwealth Games to be held in 2010. He said, conducting a race on this track will allow both Delhi Traffic Police and the Organising Committee of Commonwealth Games 2010 to have a trial run on the track.
The winners of both men and women’s category will receive a cash prize of Rs. 200,000 each for full marathon, which has been doubled-up from Rs. 100,000 given out last year.
The winners of the half marathon in both men and women category will get Rs.25,000 each and the total prize money at the event will be Rs. 1.2 million. Cash prizes will be awarded upto the 30th position.
Mr. Shriram said that the group wants to promote running as a sport and therefore is targeting serious athletes from all over the country, in conjunction with AFI. The company is also interested in signing an agreement with AFI for organizing a Marathon in Delhi during winter every year for the next five years.
The Indian Army will be an active partner in the event. The Sports Control Board of the Army, on behalf of the other services also, is coordinating with its athletes all over the country to participate. The Army shall also be providing medical cover for the event. In addition to this, Ambulance Vans, equipped with necessary equipment and medicines, with army personnel will also be deployed on the route of the marathon.