GUWAHATI: The Tawang Marathon, Northeast’s first high-altitude marathon, has attracted around 2,500 runners from across the nation and overseas, including over 550 women.
To be held this Sunday in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, the marathon has garnered entries from 25 Indian states and from all three wings of the armed forces – the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as will central armed police forces like ITBP, BSF, CRPF, and SSB.
To be held at 10,000 feet above sea level, Tawang marathon has grabbed the news for being one of the toughest routes for marathon in the country.
Runners can choose from three race lengths – the full Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.0975 km), and shorter races of 10 or 5 km. Cash prizes up to Rs 75,000 await winners in various categories – open, defence, and foreign – across different age brackets.
A joint endeavour of the Indian Army and the Arunachal Pradesh government, the marathon aims to place Tawang on the global marathon circuit while highlighting the significance of unity, sportsmanship, and a healthy lifestyle.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Lt Gen Manish of the Gajraj Corps are slated to inaugurate the event at Tawang Stadium on October 1.
As a build-up to the event, a three-day expo was organised near the iconic Tawang War Memorial that ended on Friday, apart from a cultural event at the Kalawangpo Auditorium spanning two evenings, where local artists captivated the audience with traditional performances.
Interestingly, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who announced the marathon in June, also registered as its first participant.
