NewZNew (Chandigarh) : Mega Sports event of City Beautiful “J90 Big Chandigarh Marathon” was held today on the city roads in Association with J90, a project of Mona Townships Pvt Ltd. The message being given through this marathon was “I am the Change” for proud residents of Chandigarh. The marathon was divided into two parts one for General Public 5km Run for Change and other Half Marathon 21 kms for professional runners. Lt Gen V Menon, SM, VSM Chief of Staff, HQ Western Command flagged off the 21 kms Half Marathon from Rock Garden. 5 km Run For Change was flagged off by Chief Guest Sh. Vijay Dev( IAS) Advisor to administrator UT Chandigarh. He also felicitated Gurdas Maan , Great Punjabi singer, songwriter & actor, as Change Marshal Award for his exemplary contribution in the field of Entertainment.
The Marathon generated tremendous response & wonderful life time experience for thousands of Chandigarhians. The highlight of the J90 Big Chandigarh Marathon was the entertainment quotient added by the presence of Celeb Stars like Gul Panag, Anoop Soni & Juhie Babbar Soni, Rajiv Thakur, Roshan Prince & Satinder Satti.
Over 300 participants ran for the Half Marathon & 8000 participants turned out in 5 km Dream Run as a part of biggest sports event of Chandigarh .The event saw maximum turnout in the 5 Km Run for Change with residents of tricity and many more joining from other neighboring states.
In the 5-km Run for Change , every kilometer was dedicated to a social cause like : Respect & love for senior citizens, Respect for women, Drug abuse, Observing traffic rules and focus on health and fitness, which are paramount and affect the society at large.
The Half Marathon was a close race amongst elite runners. Finally winning top honour of Half marathon being picked up by:
Winners in Age Category 18-50 years (Males )
- 1st : Benjamin ( Kenya ) 1031
- 2nd: Vikas Kumar 1295
- 3rd : Ngemui ( Kenya ) 1020
Winners in Age Category 18-50 years (Females )
- 1st : Pratima Kumari 2072
- 2nd: Sandeep kaur 2114
- 3rd : Reena Kumari 2123
In Veteran Category (Above 50 Years)
- 1st: Gurdeep Singh 3018
- 2nd: Kamaldeep Singh 3022
- 3rd : Maninder Singh 3030
The prize money amounting to Rs 2 lakhs was awarded by Sh. Vijay Dev( IAS) to the winners in different categories, in 21 Kms Half Marathon Open Category both 18-50 years (Males ) & 18-50 (Females) 1st winners were awarded 50 Thousand; 2nd walked away with 30 Thousand & 3rd got happy with 20 thousand rupees . In Veteran Category (Above 50 Years) Consolation Prizes were given to the winners respectively.
Speaking on the occasion BIG FM spokesperson said that we as responsible corporate citizens are always at the forefront of taking such initiatives which bring about productive & noble social changes in the growth of the city. Mr Aakash Setia, Director, Mona Townships Pvt Ltd, said, “This association is very close to my heart. Through this event we have tried to spread the message that there is a need to look at growth from a new perspective which goes with the tagline of J90, which is ‘Growth Reinvented’.
Elaborate traffic arrangements were made by Administration & Organizers for the event, also keeping every aspect in mind to make the marathon successful and flawless.