TADEPALLIGUDEM: It was not merely a run for run. The star-studded `Tadepalligudem 7 km Run' organised here on Thursday under the aegis of Jyoti Educational Society, a non-governmental organisation, has infused a sense of bonhomie into this tiny coastal town.

The town, a hub of business and transport with 1.5 lakh-odd population, woke up to the run coupled with the shrilling slogans and songs that wafted through the cool breeze.

The chilly weather seemed to have failed to dampen the spirit of thousands of people, youth and old alike, who partook in the run.

As the sports and film stars and local MLA Kottu Satyanarayana and Tadepallugudem Municipal Council Chairman E. Bhimashanka Rao (Tataji) took the lead, others who included senior citizens, professionals, students, officials and village folks, followed them.

Azharuddin (cricket), Mukesh Kumar (hockey), Tejaswini (weightlifter), Rambha and M.S. Narayana (film stars) and V.V. Vinayak (producer) were among those who took part in the run. Rambha flagged off the run after Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Chairman Raj Thakur hoisted the National flag.

It started from Jayalakshmi theatre and reached back at the same place after covering a distance of 7 km touching N.K. Estate, Overbridge, RTC bus stand, Kotibomma Centre, D.S. Cheruvu and Seshamahal road.

The organisers escorted the film producer V.V. Vinayak into a `safer' place in a bid to `save' him from enthusiastic autograph-hunters.

When a diabetic senior citizen and an asthma patient collapsed while in the run, they received prompt treatment from the two makeshift first aid centres.

Petals were showered on the runners from the roof-tops, while water sachets, mango juice bottles and milk were supplied by the philanthropists.

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