‘Run for Unity’ on October 31 in open & students’ categories

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK,: The Sports & Youth Affairs department is organising a ‘Run for Unity’ on October 31 with a 21-km open half marathon and a 3-km run for students in Gangtok which carries a total cash prize of Rs. 14.20 lakh.

The ‘Run for Unity’ is being held on the occasion of ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ commemorating the 149^th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallavbhai Patel.

Sports secretary MT Sherpa on Friday informed the media that the department is well-prepared to conduct the two sporting events on October 31 which are anticipated to have a huge participation of runners.

Attractive cash prizes are there for the winners.

The 21-km half marathon is open for both men and women runners with a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh for the winner in each category. Similarly the second prize for both the categories is Rs. 1.5 lakh followed by Rs. 1 lakh as the third prize. The organisers are also offering Rs. 20,000 for each category to the next 10 position holders as consolation prize.

The 3-km Run for Unity is for u-16 boys and girls (school students) with cash prizes in each category being Rs. 30,000 (first prize), Rs. 20,000 (second prize) and Rs. 10, 000 (third prize).

The Sports department thanked the State Bank of Sikkim for sponsoring the cash prizes for the event.

The half marathon is scheduled to be flagged off at 7 am from MG Marg from where the runners would run up to Smriti Van, Bulbuley and then return downhill via Bojoghari through District Court road to end at Paljor Stadium.

Similarly, the 3-km run for school students would be flagged off from Nehru Park below Mintokgang at 9 am from where the participants will run to Paljor Stadium.

Registration forms would be made available in MG Marg and Paljor Stadium for Gangtok district and in other districts also by the Sports department.

“The Sports & Youth Affairs department has been regularly organizing such sporting events. We have formed an organising committee for this upcoming event. We have capable and experienced coaches and officials and the department is well-prepared. We appeal to the people and students to come and give their maximum participation,” said the Sports secretary.