Second Edition of Cherrapunjee Marathon on July 17

A Correspondent

Shillong, June 6: The 'RUN Meghalaya Association' is organising the second edition of the Cherrapunjee Marathon July 17 to coincide with the commemoration of U Tirot Sing Syiem Day - a Khasi freedom fighter.  

All along the route, local drummers dressed in traditiol dress and drums will be cheering the runners along the way thereby showcasing the rich culture of the Khasis.  

According to the association the event is aimed at attracting runners locally and from other regions of India who will participate in the Full Marathon (42.2km), Half Marathon (21.1km) and 10km run.

"This is going to be the first timed-event marathon in the Northeast of India and hence we expect a large number of runners from Meghalaya, the Northeast region itself and also competitive and recreatiol runners from Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Cochin and the rest of India to participate," Rudi Warjri, a  retired Indian Foreign Service officer told reporters today.

According to Warjri, since the opening of online registrations, participants from Singapore and Qatar as well as states like Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Tamil du, Kartaka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat have registered themselves.

Warjri said that the USP of the event as compared to other marathons in India is that it is traverses the most picturesque locales of India apart from the opportunity of running in the monsoons and the potential to become the best marathon in summer.

"The Cherrapunjee Marathon is more than just a sporting event. The marathon route will take place in one of the most picturesque but ecologically fragile routes to the world famous tourist destition-Sohra," he said. "The event thus hopes to bring about an environmental awareness to the region by showcasing its beauty and the importance to protect it as an ecological reserve," Warjri added.

The out stationed runners accompanied by their families shall add to the tourism economy by their extended stay as they visit the numerous tourist sites of the region.