Top world athletes to run for Gandhi

Thirty international and about one hundred top-Indian athletes will participate in the maiden Nagpur International Marathon, which has been organised here on January 30 to commemorate the death anniversary of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi.

The event offers a total prize money of Rs 36,56,000. Top marathon runners from Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Russia, Ukraine and Nepal have been extended invitation in
both men and women section for this first ever event, its organising committee said.

"We run for culture of peace and non-violence," organising committee chairman, Vilas Muttemwar, said at a press conference here.

He said the men's race will cover 42.195kms while women will run a distance of 21.097 kms with a winning purse of rupees 2.50 lakh and 1.50 lakh respectively.

Besides, there will be races of 10km for both men and women, for boys and girls of under-18, under-16 and under-14 years of age, for veterans, handicapped and a celebrity run.

A total of Rs 25,80,00 will be given up to 25th position besides bonus money for Indian athletes upto third position in both section. The races will start from Kasturchand Park ground and finish at Yeshwant Stadium in Dhantoli.