TURA: The Turathon Hill Challenge which was organized by the Tura Runners’ Club (TRC) on Sunday saw the participation of over 500 runners who came to compete from different parts of the country as well as from abroad like Nepal, Kenya and Ethiopia.
The marathon organized under the theme ‘Go Green before the Greens Go’ was held on the newly constructed NH-44 starting from Jengjal and had three different categories – the 7 Km glory run, 21 Km Half Marathon and the 42 Km full marathon.
In the full marathon, it was Bijoy Deka from Assam who walked away with the top prize of Rs 1 lakh while Felix from Kenya and Tlanding Wahlang bagged the 2nd and 3rd prizes of Rs 70,000/- and Rs 50,000/- respectively.
Sports and Youth Affairs minister, Zenith M Sangma who gave away the prizes to the winners while lauding the organizers for holding the event said that it would attract more tourists to Garo Hills if there was better sponsorship.
“Sports is a good way to connect with people from other parts of the country. I thank the organizers for taking this initiative which is gaining more and more popularity each year,” Sangma added.
The winner of the 21 Km Male category was Mi Kiyas of Ethiopia while Anish Thapa of Nepal and Synsharlang Wahlang from South West Khasi Hills were the 2nd and 3rd prize winners respectively. In the 21 Km Female category, Brigid from Kenya, Shyamli Singh from Kolkata and Darishisha Iangjuh were the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners.
The top prize for 7 Km Male category was taken by Marso Kyndait of Jowai while Rahul Kumar of Kolkata and Emphius Nongrum baggeg the 2nd and the 3rd prizes. The female category for the same distance run was bagged by Pynhun Shulet (1st) of Jowai, Datei marwein (2nd) and Aidaris Lyngkhoi (3rd).
Consolation prizes were also awarded to Peter Wangi and Kresstarjune Pathaw from South West Khasi Hills (42 Km category) and Philio Tyago and Khundom Romajit