Chennai Marathon kicks off in style

Chennai, Feb 15: The 7th edition of the Chennai Marathon kicked off in a grand style on Sunday, Feb 15 morning with over 17,000 people participating. Organised by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, the marathon began at 0600 hrs IST at the famous Anna Square.

Avenue-4Known as the one of the grandest events of the city, the participants will run different categories including the full marathon (42 km), half marathon (21 km), and mini marathon boys-girls (5 km).

The marathon 'run for a noble cause' follows the following route, Anna Square-Labour Statue-Gandhi Statue-Foreshore Estate-Greenways Point-Malar Hospital-Besantth Main Road-Vellankanni Church and back.

Named as 'Run for Chennai,' the marathon offers a prize money of Rs 6.75 lakh. While the winners will get Rs 5 lakh, the second prize is Rs 1 lakh and the third is Rs 50,000. There is also a cansolation prize of Rs 1,000 for 25 runners. T P M Mohideen Khan, the Minister for Environment and Sports said, "marathon will provide young athletes from Tamil Nadu to groom themselves for higher and more competitive events."

Entry is free for children registering through their schools, while others were charged Rs 100. Every participant got a T-shirt and a will receive a participation certificate at the end of the marathon.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)