Kharghar Hill Mayor Marathon Draws 9,000 Runners As Panvel Hosts Maharashtra’s First Full-Distance Hill Race
· Free Press Journal
Around 9,000 runners from across Maharashtra participated in the Kharghar Hill Mayor Marathon organised by the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Sunday. The event was billed as the country’s first full-distance 42-km hill marathon and was held with enthusiastic participation from runners across age groups.
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Marathon flagged off at Central Park
The marathon was flagged off at 4.30 am at Central Park, Kharghar, in the presence of Panvel Mayor Nitin Patil, MLA Prashant Thakur, chief promoter Paresh Thakur, Raigad district collector Kishan Javali, IPS officer Krishna Prakash, CIDCO joint managing director Ganesh Deshmukh, PMC commissioner Mangesh Chitale, House Leader Prakash Binedar, Deputy Mayor Pramila Patil and other elected representatives and senior civic officials. Actor Ankush Chaudhari was also present at the event.
Five race categories attract participants
The marathon featured five categories — the 42-km full marathon, 21-km half marathon, 10-km and 5-km runs, and a 3-km fun run.
The event had received certification from the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), giving it international recognition. PMC officials said the certification is expected to help the marathon attract runners from across India and abroad in the coming years and establish Panvel as a destination for major endurance events.
100 participants in special run for persons with disabilities
A separate marathon category was organised for persons with disabilities on the initiative of Mayor Nitin Patil and House Leader Prakash Binedar. Around 100 participants took part in the special run, which was aimed at promoting greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream sporting activities.
The event also saw participation from children, students, women and senior citizens. Nine visually impaired runners participated in the 21-km half marathon, showcasing their determination and endurance.
Senior officials join runners
Several senior government and police officials also participated in the marathon, including NMMC commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde, former commissioner Sudhakar Deshmukh, Thane assistant commissioner of police Adinath Budhavar, deputy collector Rahul Suryawanshi, Thane deputy commissioner of police Shailesh Kale and senior officials from MMRDA and other government establishments.
Students and teachers from schools and colleges across the Panvel municipal area also participated.
The PMC said the marathon was organised to encourage a culture of running, promote healthier lifestyles and encourage sports among youth, women, senior citizens and students. It also provided runners from rural and semi-urban areas an opportunity to participate in a national-level event in their own region.
Officials said the event could also give a boost to tourism and the local economy in and around Panvel.
Panvel Civic Body Approves ₹13.20 Crore Multi-Level Parking Facility To Ease Old City Traffic CongestionActor Ankush Chaudhari flags off event
Actor Ankush Chaudhari attended the marathon and encouraged participants by flagging off the races in the presence of civic officials and other dignitaries.
Medical arrangements
The civic body deployed doctors, physiotherapists and ambulances at various points along the marathon routes to provide medical assistance to participants.
The 42-km route covered Central Park, Gram Vikas Bhavan, Murbhi Junction, Utsav Chowk, Belpada Metro Station, RBI Colony Metro Station, Chafewadi, Fansawadi, Golf Course Road, Gurudwara, Ranjanpada, Kharghar Football Stadium, Taloja Jail Road and Tata Memorial Centre, before returning to Central Park.
The 21-km route covered Central Park, RBI Colony Metro Station, Chafewadi Metro Station, Utsav Chowk, Gram Vikas Bhavan, Belpada, Fansawadi and surrounding stretches before finishing at Central Park. The shorter 3-km, 5-km and 10-km races followed designated routes around Central Park and the Kharghar area.