Hills to host half marathon today

TT, Siliguri, Jan. 11: A half-marathon will be held from Sukhiapokhri to Darjeeling by Darjeeling police in association with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration and The Telegraph tomorrow.

The Bengal Road Race Association will also collaborate with the Amway Darjeeling Police Marathon that will be for 21km, sources said.

"The objective of hosting the event is to create awareness among people of the need to stay healthy and maintain fitness, establish peace and harmony between people of the hills and plains and also to commemorate the 154th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda," said one of the organisers.

An official of the Darjeeling police said the event would be open for all and those aged between 18 and 45 could take part in it. "This morning, medical check-up and spot registration of the participants started at the district police lines at Dali in Darjeeling. The registration fee is Rs 250. We are expecting over 1,200 people to participate in the event."

The marathon would be flagged off at 7.30am tomorrow by Olympian Shiny Wilson at Sukhiapokhri, from where runners will traverse through places like Lepchajagat, Pubong Phatak, Ghoombhanjan, Ghoom railway station, Dali Fatak, Darjeeling railway station, Padmaja Naidu Zoological Garden and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute before converging at Chowrasta in Darjeeling.

Sukhiapokhri is 18km from Darjeeling.

The top rankers in men and women categories will be rewarded with cash prizes, medals and certificates, sources said. The winner will get Rs 1.5 lakh, while Rs 75,000 will be given to the first runner up. The second runner up will be given Rs 50,000 and special gift hampers will be distributed to the top rankers.

"We hope the marathon will attract thousands of amateur and seasoned runners," Amit P. Javalgi," the superintendent of Darjeeling police, said.