Delhi: Over 40,000 kids expected at Salwan marathon this year

New Delhi, Sep 15: Over 40,000 children, including 2500 visually impaired and 300 differently-abled, will run in the 21st Salwan Marathon to be organised on November 6 here. Children from over 800 schools from across India are expected to take part in the run.

Dope and age verification has been made mandatory for the top 20 winners in each category. Multiple cameras and GPS tracking system are also being put in place to track the distance, location and time taken to run the course.

"Started as an initiative to bring out the spirit of courage, grit and determination among kids, focus for Salwan Marathon this year will also be on safety and security of each participant, with over 4000 volunteers, marshals, physical instructors and a heavy deployment of police & officials from the Army, Navy and Air Force," the event's spokesperson Samrata Diwan said in a release.

Apart from the 4.5 km run for visually impaired and differently-abled kids, school children will also be competing in Under-14 girls and boys category (4.5km), Under-16 girls and boys (6 km) and Under-18 category for girls and boys (8 km) in a tougher course planned this year.

PTI