Thousands Turn Up For Puri’s First Mini Marathon

Puri:  Over 4,000 people, including a large number of students and foreigners participated in the first edition of ‘Puri Mini Marathon’ held here on Thursday, on the occasion of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti.

The theme for this year’s event was ‘Disaster Resilient Heritage.’ Professional runners, amateurs, school students and senior citizens crossed the finish line dressed in colourful jerseys. The theme for this year’s event was ‘Disaster Resilient Heritage.’

Odisha Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Tusharkanti Behera flagged off the marathon that began from the District Sports Complex at Talabania covering around 8-km route culminated near the Beach Hotel Asiana Lagoon.

The mini marathon was organised by the District Administration in association with Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

A total prize money of Rs 1.90 lakh was distributed to the winners in all three categories (for both genders). Out of the total Rs 1.90 lakh, NDRF provided half the prize money to the District Administration.