Tiruchi marathon: Participants go the extra mile to grab slots

TIRUCHI: The Tiruchi marathon on Sunday saw participants giving their best in the quest for glory.


Organised by the Tiruchi-unit of Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), the district-level marathon attracted about 1500 participants.


Mayor S. Sujatha flagged off the marathon from the Anna Stadium here.


For men and women (open category), the race was held for 21 km and 10 km respectively.


Men and women (below 20 years of age) covered a distance of 10 km and 5 km respectively. For boys and girls (below 16 years of age) the race was for 5 km.


“The response for the marathon was very good. More than winning, the spirit of participation is what that counts,” said P. Kalaiselvan, District Sports Officer.


Winners


Open category: Men: 1. N. Prabhu (Home Guard), 2. K. Suresh (TNSP), 3. P. Gopi (Customs); Women: M. Vidhya (Thottiyam), 2. R. Nachiar (Crawford), 3. B. Ramya (UDV Higher Secondary School).


Under-20 age category: Men: I. Albert Raj (St. Joseph's College), 2. S. Palaniappan (St. Joseph's College), 3. R. Anburaj (E.R. HSS); Women: 1. T. Maria Philomena Rani (Holy Cross HSS), 2. S. Mythili (Srirangam Girls HSS), 3. T. Rahini (Srirangam Girls HSS).


Under-16 age category: Boys: 1. A. Prabhakaran (Tiruchi Sports Hostel), 2. R. Rajarajan (UDV HSS), 3. S. Vignesh (UDV HSS); Girls: 1. T. Akilandeswari (Boiler Plant Girls HSS), 2. J. Anjana (Periyar Maniammai Girls HSS), 3. S. Kamali (Periyar Maniammai Girls HSS).


Thomas Gnanaraj, joint secretary, Tamil Nadu Basketball Association and S. Panneerselvam, Regional Senior Manager, Tiruchi-unit of SDAT gave away the prizes.


The top ten finishers in each category have qualified to take part in the Chennai marathon.