RAWALPINDI: Hundreds of people participated in ‘Rawalpindi Marathon’ from T-Chowk Rawat and Morgah to the Sports Complex at Liaquat Bagh.

The marathon was organised by the District Sports Department in collaboration with the district administration.

In the visually impaired athletes category from Morgah to Liaquat Bagh, Saifullah from Peshawar clinched the first position, Irfanullah from Mardan remained second and Mohammad Akram from Gujranwala third.

In the second category for open athletes of six kilometres, Mohammad Akhtar from Sahiwal bagged the first position, Mohammad Israr from Rawalpindi second and Sher Khan from Jhelum the third position.

In the third category of 16 km, Sultan Ashiq from Lahore clinched the first position, Usama Hassan from Lahore second position and Noor Shehrwan from Sargodha third position.

Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haq inaugurated the marathon.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony, the deputy commissioner said the marathon made Rawalpindi a prominent place as for the first time 90 visually impaired people participated in it.”We have also proved to the world that special people can showcase their talents by participating in such mega events,” he added.

Prizes were awarded to the winners of the 16km open category and the 6km under-16 and visually impaired category. The DC said he was also thankful to the Sports Department, police, traffic police, Rescue 1122 and other concerned departments for making the event a success.

Moreover, he added, residents of Rawalpindi made the event the most memorable one by participating in it with enthusiasm.

District Sports Officer Shams Tawheed said for the first time in the world, 90 visually impaired people participated in the six-km-long marathon.

He said the Guinness Book of Records had been contacted in this regard and that Rawalpindi was the first city in the world to hold a marathon for the visually impaired.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2021