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| Marathon seeks to integrate all |
CHENNAI: The third edition of Marg Chennai Marathon, in aid of GiveLife charity, will be held on August 29.
Announcing this here on Saturday, Tamil Maiyam founder Jegath Gasper Raj said the Chennai Marathon is the largest run in the country. It about integrating all segments in the city, he said.
On GiveLife charity, he said the charity works transformed the lives of more than 8,000 underprivileged children in terms of providing them the necessary education.
The marathon, which would bring together professional athletes across the country, is expected to attract over one lakh participants in the seven-km 'I Love Chennai' run and 8,000 runners in the 21-km half-marathon.
GiveLife Chairperson Akhila Srinivasan said the charity had been sponsoring the education of select children in schools run by the State government and local bodies till they complete class XII. GiveLife would soon extend the financial support till their graduation.
"Apart from sponsoring their education and giving them stationery and reading materials, we seek to take care of the daily dose of nutrition. The children are given raagi porridge for breakfast every day," she said. They are also offered tuitions after school hours.
Cricketer Dinesh Karthik and squash player Dipika Pallikal said they were happy to be associated with the marathon as it supports a cause. Actor Prasanna urged those interested in participating to prepare for the run with regular exercise and practice.
Basketball player Robinson, volleyball player Naveen Raja Jacob, football player Raman Vijayan and Indian Overseas Bank General Manager R. Vaidyanathan spoke.
Registration is free for 'I Love Chennai' run. Participants, who need a completion certificate should pay a registration fee of Rs.100. For half-marathon, registration fee and a pre-medical check-up are compulsory. There is an 'Elite Runner' category, with a registration fee of Rs. 500.
First three winners of the half-marathon in both male and female categories would be given Rs.3 lakh, Rs.2 lakh and Rs.1 lakh as cash prizes. The first three Tamil Nadu runners who complete the half marathon will get Rs.2 lakh, Rs.1 lakh and Rs.50,000 respectively.
The starting and finishing points of half-marathon and 'I Love Chennai' run would be Anna Square and they would begin at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. respectively.
For registration details, call 24670003, 24670004 or 24994344. Website: www.chennaimarathon.in.
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