6,000 to take part in half marathon today

PATNA: Freestyle wrestler Geeta Phogat on Saturday urged the state government to focus on sports by organizing district and state level competitions.
Addressing mediapersons in Patna, Phogat pointed out that there was hardly any participation from Bihar in national and international sports events.
The Commonwealth gold medallist, who will flag off the half Marathon at Gandhi Maidan at 6am on Sunday, said, “I wish a large number of people participate in the event which is a positive step towards making them healthy.”
Other dignitaries expected to attend the half marathon include state tourism minister Pramod Kumar, water resources minister Lalan Singh, road construction minister Nand Kishor Yadav, legislative council chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh, Patna divisional commissioner Robert L Chongthu and DM Kumar Ravi, among others.
The half marathon, whose tagline is ‘SochoMatDaudo’ this year, will start from gate number I of Gandhi Maidan. The participants have been divided into three categories — 4km, 10km and 21km — based on different age groups. The first category participants will run from Gandhi Maidan gate number I and take a U-turn from Income-Tax roundabout to reach the starting point, while the second category participants will take a U-turn from Karpoori roundabout near Eco Park. The third category participants will take a U-turn from the last end of Bailey Road flyover at Raja Bazar.
Winners of the three categories, including men and women, will get prize money and timing certificates. The total prize money is Rs 10 lakh.
According to R L Chongthu, approximately 6,000 people are expected to participate in the event. The half marathon will be organized every year in December.