About 3,000 people participate in marathon

New Delhi, June 26 (UNI) About 3,000 people participated in a marathon to commemorate the International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking today.

The run, organised by the Department of Social Welfare in collaboration with the Health Fitness Trust, was aimed to increase awareness for making healthy choice in life.

Delhi Health Minister A K Walia flagged off the marathon which ran a three-km route around India Gate. Union Minister Without portfolio Oscar Fernandes was a special invitee to the event, to motivate children to stay away from drugs and maintain healthy lifestyle.

About 300 children, handicapped people and ex-drug addicts besides the general public from various sections of society participated in the run.

Partners for the event were UNICEF and UNODC.

Welcoming the delegates, Health Fitness Trust head and former Asian Marathon Champion Sunita Godara said the objective of the run was to highlight sports as a healthy choice for the youth and to involve them in constructive activities.

''The youth must develop positive attitude in life preventing them from falling prey to substance abuse,'' she added.

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