Kheta, Kavitha triumph in Hyderabad 10K run

Hyderabad: National Champions Kheta Ram 30 minutes and 47 seconds and Kavitha Raut (38.13 mins) triumphed in the elite men’s and women’s category respectively of the 12th edition of the Hyderabad 10 K run that was flagged-off by the Flying Sikh, Milkha Singh at the Hussainsagar lake in the city on Sunday. Cheruiyot Yegon Daneil (31.25 mins) and Tarus Gladys Jepkechei (35.54 mins) emerged winners in the 10 K elite international men’s and women’s run respectively.

The women’s elite run was a closely contested affair as just 24 seconds kept the top-three apart with two national champions, Sudha Singh and Monika Athre finishing second and third respectively. Sudha completed the run in 38.20 mins and Monika crossed the line in 38.37 mins. Indrajeet Patel (30.59 mins) and B. Srinu (31.02mins) finished second and third respectively in the men’s elite run.

Earlier, the sun rose in its most flamboyant colours as if to welcome Singh in its midst. The Necklace road was filled with runners, policemen and volunteers that saw a record participation of 16,500 runners from various walks of life from across the country and the world. The 10 K run generated Rs 64 lakh from their 2200 ‘dream runners’ — runners who had pledged to donate a minimum of '50,000. The money would be given to different Non Government Organisa-tions in the city.