Capital’s First Marathon

Chief Secretary for Sports LV Subramanyam has called upon the people from all of walks of the society to participate in the first ‘Amaravati Half Marathon, 10K Run and 5K Run’ on January 10.

Talking to the news men here on Tuesday, Subramanyam said that the State government, in association with NGO, Disease Eradication through Education and Prevention (DEEP) has been organizing the marathon with an aim to establish a platform for the people in the State to come together on a large scale to promote fitness and wellness.

He said that majority of the sports personalities in last ten years have migrated to other parts of the country with lack of infrastructure and support from the Government. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has laid greater emphasis over developing Andhra Pradesh as sports hub providing adequate infrastructure, he said.

The Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Chairman PR Mohan said that Amaravati Marathon has been evoking a tremendous response among the people. Amaravati Marathon is a platform for people of AP to join hands for not only providing a brighter future for sports persons but also to support the larger cause of the city,” he said.

Marathon convener K Pattabhiram said that runs would be open to all but prior registration is mandatory. The run that will begin from Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) stadium here at 6 am will culminate at the place where foundation stone for the new Capital city - Amaravati was laid recently.

Already professional long distance runners from India and abroad have contacted the organizing committee and were showing keen interest to participate in the event. There would be prize money for the winners, he said.Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Vice-Chairperson and Managing Director Rekha Rani, District Sports Development Officer (DSDO) P Ramakrishna and others also spoke on the occasion.