Darjeeling to get bigger, better marathon next year.... There was an increase in participation by runners from abroad this year

Vivek Chhetri, TT, 13 January 2019, Darjeeling: Amway Darjeeling Police Marathon, organised in association with The Telegraph, is already the biggest such event in the region and will get bigger next year.

“This year, we had a 1,000 more participants than last year. There was an increase in participation by runners from abroad. We are thinking of making it bigger next year and there would be major changes. The details will be conveyed once finalised,” Darjeeling SP Akhilesh Chaturvedi said.

Shiv Nath Ganguly, president of the North Bengal Technical Athletics Association, suggested a change in the route.

“We have suggested that instead of starting from Sukhiapokhri, we should start and finish at Chowrasta. There is no reason why Darjeeling marathon cannot be a major event. I would like to see a tie up with the World Heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway,” said Ganguly.

Darjeeling Enfielders, though essentially formed to explore their love for biking, is also actively involved in the marathon.

Twenty-six bikers from the group escorted the runners from Sukhiapokhri to Chowrasta on Saturday. “We are involved in social issues and actively participate in marathons,” said Manish Thapa, founder-member of the Enfielders.