The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Kenyan flavour at 10K Run

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 26, 2007
ePaper

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Kenyan flavour at 10K Run

Staff Reporter

Thousands take part in the run braving the spine-chilling cold

-Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

For a cause: Thousands of people from all walks of life participated in the Hyderabad 10K Run and Half Marathon that was flagged off by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy at the Necklace Road on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: Defying the spine-chilling cold, it is not just the Hyderabadis who responded in style to the Hyderabad 10K Run and the Half-marathon from People’s Plaza on the Necklace Road in the City on Sunday morning.

There was the touch of Kenyan flavour too as four regulars on the circuit – Raymond Tonwi, John Mutai, Zak Kihari (10K Run) and Catherine Milani (Half-marathon) – as if to remind the 25,000-odd gathering why their country is so famous for producing long-distance runners. “This is a wonderful concept which really thrilled us,” remarked John Mutai. “What really impressed us is the humane touch with which it is organised as funds raised will be given to charity homes and also for promoting young sports talent,” he said.

Celebrities

There was a touch of colour too with a large number of women lining up on either side of the approach routes to the starting point where Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy surprised the security officials by triggering off the starter’s gun with ease in the company of celebrities including Speaker K.R.Suresh Reddy, film stars Venkatesh, Ramya Krishna and others.

Former All England champion Pullela Gopi Chand was seen running around on the route early in the morning to see that things fell in place for the participants.

People from different age groups and sections of the society were all there including the likes of Syed Ali, a physically challenged person.

‘All are one’

In tune with the mood and the objective of the whole show he was given an opportunity to address the gathering.

“This event proves we are all one and united to face any adversity despite efforts to divide us by some anti-national elements,” he said, amidst applause.

As the enthusiastic participants ran along the designated route, passers-by and morning walkers lustily cheered them.

The organisers too were equal to the task setting up five special multipurpose stages for entertainment and to offer assistance for the participants.

A proper security apparatus too was in place given the backdrop of the latest terrorist attacks.

Winners

Surendra Singh (Macau Asian Indoor Games silver medallist) and Preeja Sreedharan (women) were winners of the Half-marathon while Karnam Singh (men) and D.Lakshmi (women) came up trumps in the 10K Run.

But, more than winning the marathons, it was the satisfaction of being part of a noble cause mattered the most.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh