Grand stage set for 5th Vasai-Virar Mayor’s Marathon
CELEBRATED ARCHER Deepika Kumari and discus thrower Krishna Poonia will be the event ambassadors for the 5th edition of the National level Vasai Virar Mayor’s Marathon, the country’s richest event for Indian athletes and amateur runners, which will be held on Sunday, November 22.
This was announced at a press conference by Pravina Thakur, the first lady Mayor of the Corporation on Thursday. Also present as special guests on Race Day will be former India cricket captain Dilip Vengsarkar, Marathi cine stars Swapnil Joshi and Mukta Barve ofMumbai Pune Mumbai fame and child actor Siddharth Nigam, who is currently essaying the role of Junior Ashoka on television, among others.
This annual event, will witness in excess of 15,000 runners experiencing the joy of running, with the best possible facilities provided on course to enhance that experience.Western Railway is also supporting the event by way of releasing a special Marathon train from Churchgate, at 3.00 am, which will run slow up to Virar, reaching at 4.55 am.
Free transport will be provided to all participants from Vasai Station and Virar Stations to the respective start points.
Joining the country’s leading distance runners will be 700 Full Marathoners; 6000 plus Half Marathoners and around 1200 11KM Runners. Running in their wake will be around 7000 athletes in the junior age group races, over 1.5 kms, 3 kms, 5 kms, 7 kms and 11 kms. In excess of Rs 26 lakhs is in offer as prize money, making the Vasai Virar Mayor’s Marathon the richest National level prize money event for Indian athletes and amateurs.
Both Deepkia and Krishna Poonia will arrive in Virar on Saturday morning and will spend their time meeting with local participants and speaking to young girl and women participants about their early days and the road to national and global recognition through sport.
Western Railway has announced a special train for the Vasai Virar Mayor’s Marathon, which will leave Churchgate Station at 3.00 a.m. and reach Vasai and Virar at 4.25 am and 4.37 am respectively, after stopping at all stations. Free transport will be provided to all participants from Vasai Station and Virar Stations to the respective start points.
The occasion was also used to announce the names of niseD Spray as the Pain Relief Partner and Hairrootz as the Confidence Partner to the event. These two brands join brands like Water Partner Squeezers, Venue Partner Viva College, Vehicle Partner Tab Cab, Medical Partner IASIS Hospital and Energy Drink Partner Enerzal, all playing an integral role in the successful conduct of this mega event.
The event is being jointly organized by the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation and the Kala Krida Vikas Mandal and promoted by Aryanz Sports PR & Events.
The winner of the Full Marathon for men will stand to gain Rs 2.50 lakh, an increase of Rs 50,000 over last year, while the male and female winners of the Half Marathon will take home Rs 1.25 lakh each, an increase of Rs 25,000 over last year. There is an increase in the prize money for amateur runners as well in the different age groups.
