DOON VALLEY MARATHON INDIAN ARMY DOMINATES THE 21 KM SHAHEED RUN
–uttarakhandhimalaya.in —
Dehradun, 13 April. The Doon Valley Marathon, held on Sunday, witnessed a remarkable turnout of fitness enthusiasts from across the country. The event, titled the Shaheed Run, was organized as a tribute to the fallen soldiers of the Indian Army and to acknowledge Indian Army’s efforts in protecting the environment.
The marathon saw more than 250 running enthusiasts participate in a challenging half marathon starting from Dehradun Cantonment along the picturesque route to Kimadi. The 5 km and 10 km sections were also fiercely contested, with several participants from the Indian Army and NCC (National Cadet Corps) showcasing their skills.
In the men’s category, Deepak Uniyal and Ashish Singh from the Indian Army secured the top two spots in the 10 km run, Shakti Singh came in third.
Madhu Negi secured the first position in the women’s 10 km category, KM Arti Devi from NCC secured the second position.
The 21 km run witnessed a dominant performance by the Indian Army, with Anil Kumar Yadav securing the first position with a timing of 01:11:57. Pankaj and Saul Tamang secured the second and third positions, respectively.
In the women’s 21 km run, Noopur Nangia, wife of Col Mohit Nangia, secured the first position. Shivapriya Devi secured the second position.
The 5 km run witnessed a tight competition among the participants, with Sanjay Singh from the Indian Army securing the first position. Suraj Singh and Anil Gheswal, also from the Indian Army, secured the second and third positions, respectively.
In the women’s 5 km category, Akshita Katiyar secured the first position with a timing of 29:03. Amaiera Singh Negi and Alka Jagdish secured the second and third positions, respectively.
In preparation for the event, the Cantonment Board Dehradun launched an intensive cleanliness drive over the 21 km stretch from 6th to 8th April, collecting 2,500 plastic bottles and tonnes of wrappers and waste. The mounds of waste were segregated and placed at Jaswant Ground as a grim reminder of the cost borne by the environment. Being a ‘zero waste’ event, a concerted drive was carried out during and after the event to keep the area free of plastic waste.
The event evoked enthusiasm and interest amongst fitness enthusiasts. Seven para-athletes participated on wheelchairs and crutches, while 85-year-old Darwan Singh Negi completed 21 kms, proving that the pursuit of fitness has little to do with age. A total of thirteen senior citizens in the age group of 65 years and above competed with full vigour, as did young children barely out of primary school.
The event was organized by the Doon Valley Marathon in collaboration with the Army and the Cantonment Board Dehradun, with the aim of spreading awareness about the need to protect the environment. The organizers ensured that the event was a “zero waste” event, with a concerted drive carried out during and after the event to keep the area free of plastic waste.