There couldn’t have been any better inaugural edition of the Tawang Marathon, a mega sporting event jointly organised by the Indian Army and the Arunachal Pradesh State government at Tawang today on 01st October 23.
The event, a first of its kind in the entire North-East saw enthusiastic participation by the locals and runners from all over the country. Over all 25 states were represented by passionate runners who participated in four race categories i.e. Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10 Km and 5 Km run. The local participation, especially by the youth, their support and enthusiasm for the event was phenomenal to put it mildly.
Conducting a Marathon in high-altitude region that too with a disadvantage of long travel time to the nearest airport and railway network is indeed challenging. And therefore, the high participation achieved would’ve been inconceivable to the organisers who had been planning the event for past over 11 months. Against an aim of crossing 1500-2000 participants in the inaugural Marathon, the numbers achieved were as follows:-
Valid Registrations-2463 (including 543 ladies)
Participants reported-2343 (including 511 ladies)
42 KM-114 (including 07 ladies)
21 KM-314 (including 10 Ladies)
10 KM- 563 (including 21 Ladies)
5 KM-1352 (including 473 Ladies)
Apart from the Indian Army which organised the event, there was active participation by the Indian Navy (31-member team) and the IAF (12-member team) at the event. All the CAPFs like BSF, CRPF, SSB, CISF, ITBP also sent in their teams.
According to some of the reputed ace Marathoners who participated in the event, this is perhaps one of the most challenging high-altitude marathon in the country. But the insistence by the organisers on proper acclimatisation period for all outside runners paid well with only 3 DNF (Did Not Finish) in the complete event. Weather Gods were also in a good mood and the runners enjoyed a pleasant day of running under excellent running conditions.
Category wise winners are as follows:-
Full Marathon – Arjun Pradhan 2:49:03 (Indian Army) and Priyanaka Kanwar 5:18:41
Half Marathon – Prem Kumar 1:21:23 and Aarti Bardhan (2:30:28)
10 Km – Ramesh Kumar 00:40:52 and Rajshree M (1:04:59)
5 km – Ankul Kumar (00:20:33) and Tenzin Choikey (00:27:01).
Guests for the event
Chief Guest – Kiren Rijiju, Cabinet Minister of Earth Sciences and Pema Khandu, CM of Arunachal Pradesh.
Guests of Honour Tapir Gao, MP, Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, Mama Nathung, Sports & Youth Affairs Minister, ALP and Lt Gen Manish Erry, GOC Gajraj Corps.
Speaking at the event the Corps Commander said that after a good beginning, he was sure that with each passing year the event will draw more and more participation not only from India and not just the amateur runners but also some of the most competent runners joining us at Tawang. He said that this event will benefit the local economy by pulling in more and more tourists, adventure seekers, ultra-athletes. He hoped that the event has achieved its aim of putting Tawang on the Marathon Calendar prominently.
Happy with the success achieved by the inaugural edition of the Tawang Marathon the CM appreciated the efforts put in by the organisers and announced that this will be an annual fixture now. The CM also spoke about plans to encourage adventure activities and adventure tourism in the region because such activities help not just the tourism sector but also the businesses in host of associated activities, generating employment for the local youth. It will also highlight region’s rich cultural heritage to the wide world even more prominently.
Kiren Rijiju the Cabinet Minister of Earth Sciences congratulated the organisers especially the Indian Army for an excellent conduct. He also lauded the enthusiastic local participation and hoped that the event will not only put Tawang on world Marathon map but also set-up a tradition of many such sporting events annually.
The historic marathon coincided with the National Swachh Bharat Campaign which saw the participants and the audience, cleaning the Stadium premises with active participation even by the dignitaries including the Chief Minister.
Source: Indian Army
Report- Pratyusha Mukherjee