LAHORE: Hundreds of students from 20 universities across the country on Sunday participated in the five-kilometre marathon on The Mall.

The marathon was held from the Governor House and ended at the Government College University, Lahore.

A number of people including faculty members of the GCU stood along the track of the marathon to cheer up the participants who crossed the finish line near Clock Tower.

The marathon marked the beginning of the week-long first All Pakistan Summit for the Students’ Societies being hosted by the GCU in collaboration with the Unesco Creative Cities Network: Lahore-City of Literature through Commissioner Lahore, Superior University and NGOs Bargad Organisation for Youth Development and Shaoor Foundation for Education and Awareness.

GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi who also participated in the marathon and was among those who finished the cross line, said: “This is the first time I have run such a long distance and the atmosphere and support of students kept me going.” He said the last stretch was the hardest but an amazing experience.

Commissioner retired Capt Muhammad Usman inaugurated the marathon with a gunshot, saying this is an amazing sporting activity for the youth of the universities across Pakistan. He wished the participants in the race finish strong.

Muhammad Akhtar from the University of Central Punjab won the marathon. The first ten winners of the race were awarded cash prizes. They included Aftab Haram, Kaleem Akhtar, Ali Hadi, Osama Hassan and Sufiyan.

The marathon was followed by a grand march past of the student societies at the GCU’s Oval Ground.

Besides debates, contests, theatrical festivals, essay and poetry writing competitions, painting exhibitions and music concerts, the week-long events include discussions among leading experts, scholars and students on wide-ranging topics of contemporary relevance to higher educational institutions.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2021