The 4th Assam Rifles Half Marathon 2024 was held today in Laitkor, where the paramilitary force has its headquarters, to promote the Fit India Movement, with more than 1,900 runners taking part in the three race distances.
This year the event saw representation from 28 states and three Union territories, a press release informed.
Legendary international boxer MC Mary Kom was the brand ambassador of the event and participated in the 10km run.
Besides the 10km race (dubbed the ‘Pine Path’), there was also a 5km race (‘Crystal Stream’) and the main event, the 21km half marathon (‘Cloud Chase’).
There were 347 runners in the half marathon, 826 in the 10km and 776 in the 5km.
Participants were provided with medals and certificates in recognition of their efforts and T-shirts as souvenirs. Cash prizes worth Rs 18.15 lakh were awarded to 48 runners of various categories. Besides this, 150 consolation prizes were also given away.
Kailash Chaudhary from 20 Assam Rifles was the overall male winner of the half marathon with a time of 1 hour, 5 minutes and 30 seconds, while Anjali Kumari from Bihar was the female half marathon winner in a time of 01:19:43.
Air Marshal Surat Singh, AOC-inC Eastern Air Command, was the chief guest.
The event this year was promoted as the first ‘Green Marathon’ in the North East with recycling of waste promoted and plastic discouraged.