The 4th Sohra International Half Marathon 2025 will take place on September 27, organisers announced today.
The event is being organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) and Meghalaya Athletics Association (MAA).
The total prize money for the fourth edition will be Rs 15.50 lakh. More than 7,000 runners took part last year – the vast majority in the 5km ‘Fun Run’ – and the organisers are hoping for 10,000 this year. The budget for the event, paid for by the state government, is Rs 2.97 crore, an increase on last year’s Rs 2.3 crore.
The last date for entry is September 10 and MSOA General Secretary Finely L Pariat, who is also the Secretary of the MAA, encouraged locals not to leave it until the last minute to register.
21km and 10km t-shirts and bib numbers will be distributed on September 25-26 at the JN Stadium.
‘Fun Run’ participants from Shillong and adjoining areas will receive their t-shirts and bib numbers on September 26 at the JN Stadium, while those from the Sohra area will get theirs on the same day but in Sohra.
The race will start at Laitsohpliah (around 6km beyond Mawkdok bridge) and end at Mawsmai (Nohsngithiang Falls viewpoint). Free transport will be arranged to and from Shillong for runners.
Participants in the ‘Fun Run’ can register either at the MSOA office adjacent to the JN Stadium or at the Sohra Shop near the Lad Thanad petrol pump. Registration for the 10km and 21km events can be done online on the MSOA website. Registration fees are applicable – Rs 1,000 for the 21km half marathon, Rs 200 for the 10km race and a token Rs 50 for the ‘Fun Run’.
The race categories, for males and females, are 21km Elite Open (18 years and above), 21km Open Meghalayan (18 years and above), 10km Open (18-40 years), 10km Open (40-55 years), 10km Open (55 years and above) and 5km Fun Run (10 years and above). Special prizes will be awarded to runners above 55 years who finish the 21km event and the first 200 Fun Run finishers (100 male, 100 female).
Runners from Meghalaya are eligible to take part in the 21km Elite race. In past years, Meghalayans have often outperformed Elite category runners but entered the Meghalaya-only category. Winners of the Elite category will take home Rs 1.50 lakh, while the Meghalaya category winners will get Rs 50,000.
The 10km winners will receive Rs 30,000 (18-40 bracket) and Rs 25,000 (40-55 and 55+).
