The Gateway to India’s North East,City of Guwahati woke up to witness a remarkable spectacle, when thousands of runners from all across the country participated in the first ever ‘Coal India Guwahati Half Marathon’conducted at Sarusajai Stadium in the city.This momentous event,the first of its kind in the region, has showcased grit, determination and enthusiasm of the people of Assam.The Coal India Guwahati Half Marathon was organized under the aegis of Eastern Command of the Indian Army in close coordination with the Govt of Assam and title sponsor Coal India Ltd. The Half Marathon was aimed at uniting people across cultures and cities and to add Guwahati on the marathon map of India.
With the motto of ‘Amar Run, Amar Utsav’, the event witnessed participation of over thousand participants under the categories of 21 KM, 10 KM and 5 Km in different age groups. Sarusajai Stadium was teeming with energy even before the sunrise and was decked up in colourful themes symbolising celebration and festival. The route of the run was interspersed with cheering zones, dance troupes and bands all along thereby keeping the adrenaline of the runners pumping high. The determination and grit shown by the differently abled who participated in 5 km run further added to the spirit of the event. Over 800 women and girls participated in the event in various categories which reflected Naari Shakti in true sense.
More than 5000 runners participated in the event with Nazeem Pulikkal adjudged as winner in the half marathon male category with a timing of 01 hour 10 Minutes and 09 Seconds and Phurba Tamang being adjudged as winner in female category with a timing of 01 hour 35 Minutes.
The event was graced by Smt Nandita Garlosa, Sports & Youth Welfare Minister, Govt of Assam, Lt Gen RP Kalita, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt Gen Manish Erry, GOC 4 Corps and many other senior civil and military dignitaries. Speaking on the occasion the Hon’ble Sports Minister congratulated the participants and organisers to have come forward for the event. She expressed her gratitude to the Indian Army for taking this initiative and conducting an event of this magnitude in Guwahati and appreciated the strides made towards Civil Military Integration in Assam.
The unwavering commitment and tireless efforts of Army’s Eastern Command and the Assam State Govt have laid the foundation for many such future event in the North East India, forging a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. It represents a shared dream of unity, fitness, sports adventure and above all peace and prosperity across the region. The event concluded with prize and Medal distribution to the winners and participants. Running enthusiasts now await the next edition of the Guwahati Marathon.
