Mini marathon held to spread message against obesity

Coimbatore, Jan 30 (PTI) Nearly 10,000 people, includingschool boys and girls, participated in the Coimbatore MiniMarathon, covering about 10 kms, to spread the message of''Healthy Living, Happy Living - Fight Obesity'', here today.

Organised by the Sports Development Authority of TamilNadu (SDAT), in collaboration with the city-based GemHospital, the successful runners were felicitated and awardedcash prizes worth a combined Rs 50,000.

Those who clinched the top three spots in each category-- boys, girls, men and women -- gained entry into the ChennaiMarathon to be held there next month. Their participation willbe sponsored by the SDAT.

Earlier, the Mini Marathon was flagged off by State RuralIndustries Minister, Pongalur N Palanisamy.

The anti-obesity campaign also saw an essay competitionbeing held, where more than 200 students from differentschools and colleges wrote on the topic ''Obesity - the diseaseof 21st century''.

The City Police Commissioner, C Sylendra Babu, gave awaythe awards and certificates, in the presence of Dr CPalanivelu, the chairman of Gem Hospital.