RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi marathon race was held on Sunday, it started from Sports Complex Liaquat Bagh to Shehbaz Sharif Sports Complex, Shamsabad, passing through Murree Road.

The marathon race track was five kilometres long.

A total of 4,000 athletes including senior citizens participated in the marathon race. In three categories, senior citizen, open, and under-16 category, a total of Rs378,000 prizes were distributed to the athletes who secured prominent positions, while all the participants were given certificates.

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

The time for all the athletes arriving in Liaquatabad was fixed at 7 o’clock in the morning. The total duration of this mini-marathon race road was from 9:00 am to 10:30 am and the national anthem marked the start of the race.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi (ADC) Dr Hassaan Tariq inaugurated the race by cutting the ribbon.

District Education Authority Chief Executive Officer Amanullah Khan, District Sports officer Shams Tauheed Abbasi and several officials from education and sports departments were present on the occasion.

Prize distribution ceremony was held at Shehbaz Sharif Sports Complex. The chief guest of the event was Raja Muhammad Hanif Advocate. He congratulated all the winning athletes and said that this kind of cultural and healthy activities should be commenced in Punjab.

He thanked the Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz. He was informed that the Punjab government would give 378,000 cash prizes in successful athletes. Of these, there are 15 prizes for the Under-19, 20 for the Open and 10 for the age of 50. He presented shields to the officials of the education and sports Department. ADC presented shield to Raja Mohammad Hanif.

First, second and third position holder athletes were given cash prizes. Mohammad Qasim got 1st prize, Rs50,000, Mohammad Usman, Rs40,000 and Babar Ali Rs30,000 respectively.

ADC Hassaan Tariq said that the citizens of Rawalpindi have participated in the marathon in a vigorous manner and the sports department has made very commendable arrangements.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2025