Hill marathon on Saturday

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 08 Jan 2019, Darjeeling: Runners from within India and abroad are expected to take part in the Amway Darjeeling Police Marathon which will be held in association with The Telegraph on January 12.

Amarnath K, the superintendent of police (operations), Darjeeling, said: "The 21km half marathon will start from Sukhiapokhri and end at Chowrastha in Darjeeling. The marathon will be held on January 12 to commemorate Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary." Cash awards in the event are worth more than Rs 7 lakh in total.

"Winners in both male and female categories will get a cash award of Rs 1.5 lakh each, followed by Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 each for the first and second runners-up, respectively," said Amarnath.

Apart from the general category, there will be two separate categories for police personnel/civic volunteers and residents of Darjeeling.

"The winners in these categories will get a cash award of Rs 25,000 each, while the second and third spot winners will get Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 each, respectively," said the SP.

Registrations have already started and outstation runners will be provided with free accommodation a day before the event.

"We are expecting more than 3,000 runners. We are receiving enquires from runners from Kenya, Ethiopia and Nigeria also," said Amarnath.

Jinson Johnson, Indian gold medallist in the 1,500m race in the 2018 Asian Games, will be the guest of honour, along with Swastima Khadka, a popular film actress from Nepal.

Cultural events will also be organised after the event.

All runners will have to undergo a free medical checkup at Dali Police Line at 4 pm on January 11.

"During registration, runners above the age of 45 will have to submit a medical report," said Amarnath.

Registrations can be done at the district police stations or at Dali Police line.