8,000 participate in marathon at Abohar; regional leaders show support
As the fog lifted, the marathon organised by Jakhar Trust saw a record 8,000 participants across three categories on Sunday. Hundreds of spectators lined the route to cheer on the runners.
The Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing, Ravneet Singh Bittu, arrived early in the morning on a train from Delhi to flag off the event. Sadulshahar MLA Gurveer Singh Brar from Rajasthan also took part in the 10 km race, along with Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar. Kenyan sports enthusiast Simon Maina Mwangi arrived in Abohar to participate in the 21 km race.
Minister Bittu, wearing a cap and tracksuit, praised Sandeep Jakhar for his efforts to raise awareness about cleanliness and the dangers of polythene through his Abohar Apni Abha campaign’, which has organised 170 awareness camps. “Organising this marathon is the icing on the cake,” he said. Bittu also urged other MLAs to follow Jakhar’s example, suggesting the entire state could benefit from such initiatives. He commended the continuation of the ‘Nashon se Door, Khelon ki Aur’ campaign, which was launched by IFFCO’s former chairman, Surinder Jakhar, nearly two decades ago. “The youth of our country can truly achieve great things by joining such campaigns,” he added.
Rajasthan MLA Gurvir Singh Brar also praised the event, noting it has inspired many young people in the surrounding areas.
A particularly inspiring moment came when Gunika Nyol, from the nearby Khatwan village, participated in the marathon alongside her sister and mother. She finished second in the 10 km race.
In the 21 km race in the male category, Rohit from Sonipat secured the win, and in the women’s category, Kiran from Rohtak secured the top spot. In the 10 km race, Lovepreet Singh from Bhangala village was the winner in the men’s category and Seema Devi from Jalandhar claimed first place among the women. In the 5km race, Deepak Kumar from Sabuana village won the men’s category, while Maya from Khairpur village emerged victorious among the women.
Apart from the prize money for the winners, the participants were awarded t-shirts, medals and refreshments as a token of appreciation for their efforts.
