KTR to lead the way for city in 5-kilometre run
Telangana's IT minister pledges his full support to the event by taking part in the run
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-08-22 01:17 GMT
Hyderabad: Over 7,000 runners have already registered and the number is expected to cross the 10,000-mark for the fourth edition of the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon, to be be held in the city on Sunday. The marathon will feature three categories full marathon (42.2 km), half marathon (21.1 km) and a 5km run, which will start and end at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Gachibowli. The full and half marathons will start from the People’s Plaza at Necklace Road at 5 and 6 am respectively. The 5km run will be flagged off at 8 am.
To encourage corporate participation, the organisers have instituted the Corporate Trophy, which will be awarded to the organisation with the largest representation. Telangana Minister for Information Technology and Panchayat Raj K. Taraka Rama Rao will show his support for the event by participating in the 5km run. Speaking on the occasion, KTR said, “This is a wonderful initiative by Hyderabad Marathon and Airtel. I thank the organisers for making it such a big event and I will do everything in my power to make sure this event is held without a hitch.
“I have decided to participate in the 5 km run and I will bring along as many people as I can to pledge my support towards the event,” he said.As a build-up to the event, the organisers will host the ‘Marathon Expo’ at Hall No.1 at the Hitex International Convention Centre in Madhapur on Saturday, where all the runners are expected to to collect their running kits as well as get a chance to interact with the event’s brand ambassador, world renowned marathon coach Bill Pierce.
Pierce ran his first marathon in 1977 and over the last 37 years, has participated in 40 marathons across the world.“This is my first visit to India and I must say, by the looks of it, this city is vibrant with people from all walks of life coming to participate in the marathon. Running a marathon is not a joke. And I am happy that runners from this city are participating in huge numbers. I wish them all the best and may the best runner win,” Pierce said.
On the sidelines of the Hyderabad Marathon, Arun Bharadwaj, India’s ultra marathoner will attempt to run for 24 hours straight on a treadmill in a bid to enter the Limca Book of World Records. He will begin his attempt at 10 am on Friday.