Australian to begin 'Spirit of India Run' from Kanyakumari

New Delhi, Jan 25: To create awareness about India as a destination among travellers from his country and raise funds for education of girl child, Australian ultra-marathon runner Pat Farmer will on Jan 26 begin his run from Kanyakumari and cover a distance of about 4600 km in 60 days to reach Srinagar.

"Farmer's 'Spirit of India Run' is aimed at cementing relations between India and Australia, encourage tourism and personal relationships with a view to create awareness of India as a 'Must Experience' destination for travellers from Australia and support causes and charity which in the current endeavour is to raise funds for education of girl child," Tourism Ministry said in a release.

He will initiate his run on Jan 26, celebrating India's Republic Day and Australia Day, from Kanyakumari and finish it at Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir on March 30, 2016, it added.

Farmer would be accompanied by a television crew which would cover the entire run and prepare a documentary that would be screened on Australia's TV Network, the release said.

Farmer will run on an average 70-80 km daily through the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir and cover a distance of 4600 km.

The run is supported by Ministries of Tourism and External Affairs, state tourism departments of various states, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and Federation of Hotels & Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI), among others.

Farmer, a multiple world record holder for endurance running, has run from the North Pole to the South Pole, and across Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, the Middle East and North America.

He has served 8 years as a Member of Australia's Parliament, with 3 years as Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Science and Training.

Farmer has raised millions of dollars for worthy causes during his 20 year running career, the release said.

PTI