Renewable Energy National half marathon in Nagpur on Aug 20

Nagpur, Aug 17 (UNI) The Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy National half marathon and the ''Run for Fun'' will be held here on August 20.

Addressing a news conference here today, Union Minister of State for Non-Conventional Energy Vilas Muttemwar said the events would be held to promote the use of non-conventional energy.

The half-marathon for men and women would be run over 21 kilometres, with the distance of 10 km for the under-18 and 5 km for the under-14, he said.

The Run for Fun would be open for all, including senior citizens, and would be run over three kilometres, the Minister said. The total prize money for the half marathon is Rs 2.36 lakh, including the first prize of Rs 50,000 each for men and women. The second prize is of Rs 25,000 and the third prize is Rs 15,000, he informed.

The events are held annually since 2004 to observe the Renewable Energy Day, which coincides with the birth anniversary of the former prime minister. This is the first time that the event will be held outside New Delhi, Mr Muttemwar said.

He said the half marathon and the Run for Fun would be flagged off by Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh at the historic Kasturchand Park ground here at 0730 hrs on Sunday.

Union Minister Oscar Fernandes will inaugurate a three-day exhibition of new and renewable energy systems such as solar lights, solar cookers, windmills and bio-mass gasifiers at the venue. Later, Mr Deshmukh will give away the prizes for the half marathon and the Run for Fun, he added.

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