Chinappa, Neelamma grab top spots

Lucknow, Apr 14 (UNI) H N Chinappa (Chennai) and Neelamma (Western Railways, Mumbai) today won the men and women categories respectively of the 42.195 km long Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar All India Marathon here.

In the five km long open cross country race for boys and girls, Arvind Kumar Yadav (Lucknow) and Shashi Saroj (Allahabad) won in respective categories.

In the men's Marathon, the main competition was among Chinappa and second and third placed athletes Binu and Shanti Kumar Singh (both from Lucknow) respectively.

They finished within a span of three minutes. Chinappa completed the race in 2:28.42 hrs, while Binu and Shanti took 2:29.09 and 2:31.42 hrs respectively.

In the women's category, Neelamma completed the distance taking a time of 3:06.55 hrs for Rs 1.01 lakh prize money, while runners-up Shastri Devi (Allahabad) and Indresh Dheeraj (Noida) came second and third -- pocketing Rs 50,000 and 20,000 respectively.

In the cross country for boys and girls, Arvind Yadav (Lucknow) Deep Chand Pal (Allahabad), Prem Chand (Muzaffarnagar) in boys and Shashi Saroj (Allahabad) Sangeeta Yadav (Lucknow) and Sushila Singh (Varanasi) stood first, second and third respectively. They were awarded Rs 10,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000 in respective categories.

Besides, 11 consolation prizes were also given in both categories.

The races were held under the aegis of Uttar Pradesh sports department and organised by regional sports office.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav gave away the prizes.

UNI KN VS PM HT1505