Miles with Smiles runs enliven early morning hour in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: Large-scale participation marked the 8th Edition of the Vizag Navy Marathon held by the Eastern Naval Command at RK Beach Road in the city on Sunday. There were over 12,000 registrations.
 
The ‘miles with smiles’ events in various categories witnessed energetic participation of children, youth, senior citizens alongside the naval personnel drawn from within and abroad from the early morning hour of 4.

The marathon was flagged off by Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar, flag officer commanding in chief, Eastern Naval Command, with more than 500 participants. The Half Marathon was flagged off by Vice Admiral G Srinivasan, DGNP Vizag, with more than 1600 runners. The 10-km run, with more than 2700 runners, was flagged off by city police commissioner Ravishankar.
The 5-km Run recorded a participation of over 7000 persons and was flagged off by Vice Adm Sameer Saxena, Chief of Staff, ENC.

The runners had an enriching experience through the hydration and refreshment points, convenience stations, entertainment and cheering along the route.
 
With adequate medical points and mobile medical units, the runners were well-supported.

The prize distribution was done in a lively ceremony attended by runners and spectators at VMRDA Park.  The flag officer commanding in chief, Eastern Naval Command, was the chief guest for the ceremony.

In the Men’s Open category, Sikandar Tadakhe, clocking 2h 30m, Deepak Kumbhar, clocking 1h 6m and Sonu Kushwa clocking 31m, emerged winners in Marathon, Half Marathon and 10-km race respectively.
 
In the Women’s category, Aasa TP, clocking 3h 8m, Lilian Rutto, clocking 1h 24m and Lanka Mery Grace, clocking 44m, won in Marathon, Half Marathon and 10-km race, respectively.
 
The awards were presented by senior naval officers, District collectorMallikarjuna and eminent personnel present in the ceremony.