RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi marathon began on Sunday, starting from Sports Complex Liaquat Bagh to Allama Iqbal Park, Shamsabad while passing through Murree Road.

The length of the marathon race track is 5km. A total of 470 athletes including 30 senior citizens participated in the marathon.Among participants from three categories of the race –senior citizens, open category and under-16 – cash prizes amounting to Rs300,000 were distributed to athletes who won a prominent position while all other participants were given certificates.

The athlete who secured the first position in the open category completed the track in 15 and a half minutes while the athlete who secured the first position in the under-16 category completed the track in 16 minutes.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Ali Chattha, Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema and Divisional Sports Officer Abdul Waheed Babar participated in the ceremony held at Iqbal Park and distributed prizes.

Commissioner Chattha said that participation is more important than winning and losing in any sport, and it is a good sign that a total of 470 athletes participated in this marathon including 30 senior citizens.

He said that a three-day Spring festival began in Rawalpindi on Sunday, in which sports have been included and regional sports competitions will be held.

He said a large participation of families in Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches, held in Rawalpindi has proved that people are fond of sports.

DC Cheema said citizens of Rawalpindi have participated in the marathon in a vigorous manner and the sports department has made very commendable arrangements. As many as 30 senior citizens, 352 persons in the open category and 89 in the under-16 category participated in the marathon.

Mohammad Akhtar won the first position, Sohail Ahmed won the second position and Israr Khizr secured the third position in the open category.U-16’s Tayyab got the first position, Mohammad Roman second and Shakir Usman the third position.

The first prize was Rs30,000, the second prize was Rs25,000, the third prize was Rs20,000, while the fourth to 10th position winners were given Rs10,000 and the eleventh to 20th position winners were given Rs6,000 as prizes.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2023