Run for Unity held in Gangtok to mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

Gangtok, (IPR): Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang flagged-off 'Run for Unity 2024' on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) organised by the Sports and Youth Affairs department here at MG Marg Gangtok today.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is celebrated on October 31 annually to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary, recognising his vital role in India’s independence movement and in unifying the nation.

The Run for Unity is a significant event that promotes national unity and solidarity. True to its spirit, the event witnessed the participation of runners not only from the state, but from across the country and the borders.

The event had two categories which included 21 km open half-marathon (Men and Women) and 3 km run (Under 16- Boys and Girls). There were cash prizes for top three positions and consolation prizes for runners who finished in the top ten positions.

The Chief Minister bestowed the participants with his blessings and words of encouragement before flagging off the half-marathon (21 kilometres run) for men and women while Sports & Youth Affairs minister Raju Basnett flagged off the three-kilometre run for U-16 boys and girls. 

The top three finishers of various categories are as follows:

Under 16- 3 Km Run for Girls category:

1st- Schenne Limboo Sichey Senior Secondary School Rs 30,000/-

2nd- Asmi Gurung VCGL Senior Seconary School Ravangla Rs 20,000/-

3rd- Riya Tamang VCGL Senior Secondary School Rs 10,000/-

Under 16- 3 Km Run for Boys category:  

1st- Prakash Tamang Enchey Senior Secondary School Rs 30,000/-

2nd- Samir Khadka Sichey Senior Secondary School Rs. 20,000/-

3rd- Kelly Bhutia Tashi Namgyal Academy Rs. 10, 000/-

21 Km Open Half-Marathon run for Women category:

1st- Tam Singh Uttar Pradesh Rs 2 Lakh

2nd- Chandrakala Sharma Sikkim Rs. 1.5 Lakh

3rd- Hilda Jepkemoi Kenya Rs. 1 Lakh

21 Km Open Half-Marathon run for Men:

1st- Mayangam Manipur Rs 2 Lakh

2nd- Raghunandan Singh Uttarkhand Rs 1.5 Lakh

3rd- Pankaj Kumar Uttar Pradesh Rs 1 Lakh

The prize distribution ceremony event formed a part of the state celebration of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2024 at Paljor Stadium wherein prizes were distributed from the hands of the Chief Minister later in the day.

The Chief Minister extended his heartiest congratulations to all the winners and also to all the participants for being a part of the Run for Unity, which celebrated unity in diversity and renewed the spirit of national unity.