The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : 10K walk evokes enthusiastic response

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Monday, Jan 21, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

10K walk evokes enthusiastic response

Staff Reporter

Presence of film personalities adds glamour to the event

First timers thoroughly enjoy walkathon
Professional athletes walk away with prizes

— Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar

Health Matters: Participants at the Guntur 10K Walk organised by the NRI Educational Academy in Guntur on Sunday.

GUNTUR: The early morning chill was not an issue and the thick blanket of fog could never come in their way, as the people of Guntur marched in their strides and making the third edition of 10K walk, a huge success. Men and women of all ages, senior citizens and children took part with unbridled enthusiasm in the walkathon which witnessed a large turnout.

The walkathon organised by the N.R.I Educational Academy began a little after 6 a.m. at the Indian Springs School. Lakshmipuram. Joint Collector Kantilal Dande flagged off the walk amid a roar of applause. The walk got off an electrifying start with high decibel music keeping the surging crowds thoroughly entertained. The presence of movie personalities, director Posani Krishna Murali, actors, Raghu (brother of Ravi Teja) and Naveen Reddy added a touch of glamour to the event.

The competitors walked through the Lakshmipuram Main Road, turned left and took the main road crossed the Arundelpet RoB, then took a right turn passed through the road leading to the Collectorate. They then crossed the Kankaragunta RoB, took a right turn towards Gujjangundla, entered the Ring Road, Brindavan Colony and reached the Indian Springs School.

Among the competitors, a majority were first timers who thoroughly enjoyed the walkathon. “I was determined to complete the full course and even though my legs were giving away, the organisers egged me on and helped me to complete the course,” said a house wife M.V. Vijaya Lakshmi.

The professional athletes however had the last laugh as they walked away with the prizes. M. Anand Kumar, G.V. Subba Rao bagged first and second prizes respectively. But the man, whose heroic effort stood out, was this 60-year old K. Solomon who bagged the third prize by clocking a little over an hour. “Run or Walk. That is the only to beat Diabetes and Blood Pressure,” he said waving to a rapturous applause.

Among the women, I.V. Saraswati, R. Annapurna and K. Aswini bagged the first, second and third prizes respectively. “I began to take part in walkathons four years back and mind you there is no better way to keep fit than a regular walk down the lane,” says M. Rajya Lakshmi, who won a consolation prize.

“We thank the people of Guntur for participating enthusiastically and we are overwhelmed by their response,” secretary and correspondent of NRI Academy, Alapati Rajendra Prasad said. Academy president Alapati Ravindra, convener Chukkapalli Ramesh, former mayor Chukka Yesuratnam, Income Tax additional commissioner M. Daya Sagar and others were present.

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