Just seven days to go for Tawang International Marathon

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 18, 2024

The Second Tawang International Marathon will be organized on October 24 at the strategic Tawang in the salubrious surrounding of the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ Arunachal Pradesh.

The annual calendar event also commemorates the United Nations Day on October 24. The ‘Queen of High-Altitude Runs’ is being jointly organized by Indian Army and Arunachal Pradesh government, showcasing rock solid civil-military bonhomie at the mesmerizing Tawang.

Post grand success of the inaugural edition in 2023, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on July 4 declared ‘Tawang Marathon’ as an international calendar annual event, to be organised jointly by Indian Army and civil administration on October 24 each year.

The Chief Minister also the patron for the event, announced a ‘Grant in Aid’ of Rs 2 crores, to support a strength of more than 5,000 runners in the full & half marathon, 10 & 05 kms runs. The special run carries total prize money of more than Rs 60 lakh.

The website for Tawang marathon, www.tawangmarathon was launched on July 10 with more than 4,500 runners already registered for the exciting event at the border town. Four months of an intensive media campaign, eight promo runs and two promotional stalls at major cities and metros, popularized not only the run but, also gave a significant boost to mountain sports & adventure, along round the year tourism.

Preparations for the much-awaited ‘Mountain Run’ have already begun in early Sep and the euphoria for running has gripped the North East and the action, catalyzed through promotional runs and ceaseless media campaigns.

 The ‘Run Day’ arrives on October 24 also the United Nations Day, with Tawang Stadium beautifully decorated and geared up to host a ‘Historical International Marathon’.

Proceedings of the event will be graced by Arunachal

Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, GOC, Gajraj Corps, Lt Gen Gambhir Singh, GOC, Ball of Fire Divison Maj Gen KS Grewal and other dignitaries from armed forces, state government and local administration. As we enter the last week of excitement & readiness, the Indian Army,

Tawang administration and the locals eagerly await the participants at the ‘Dawn Lit’ town.

Venue for the start & finish of the event, the Tawang Stadium, will witness an assembly of more than 5,000 runners, as many spectators on the day of run.

The run will be flagged off from 5:30 am onwards, by Pema Khandu, Lt Gen Gambhir Singh and other dignitaries.

On the sidelines of the event, cultural and army equipment display, selfie points, inauguration of Tawang Archery Node, and refreshments shall be organized, amidst extensive media coverage.

The run would culminate with colorful closing ceremony involving local cultural performances, addresses by dignitaries and lastly the felicitation of winners. The proceedings of the event will culminate at around 1:30 pm, with departure of dignitaries, participants and the local spectators.