The Sports Minister, Punjab, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi today held a meeting with the departments concerned to review the preparations being made with regard to the Marathon to be organized by the Sports Department and Daily World on March 31st, 2019 in accordance with the Mission Tandarust Punjab initiated by the Chief Minister, Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh.The marathon event of international stature would see the 42 KM chip timed (As per international norms) ‘Full Marathon’, 21 KM Half Marathon, 10 KM & 5 KM races besides the 5 KM event in all the districts of Punjab. In the event to be held in the multipurpose complex in Sector-78, around 5000 players would take part whereas in the districts 50000 players would participate in the run.The Sports Minister while reviewing the arrangements of the State Level event directed all the concerned departments such as GMADA, Municipal Corporation, Health and Police to make all the necessary arrangements for the facilitation of the athletes. He said that GMADA as well as the Municipal Corporation must make sure that the route of the marathon should be clear with no damage to the roads enroute. The street lights must be working due to the event having to start early in the morning. The arrangements of water and other necessary things must be made along with ambulance and medical services for dealing with the emergencies. The Police Department has been asked to ensure that there should be no vehicle on the route of marathon so, the alternate arrangements pertaining to traffic be made and also the mobile toilets and adequate parking spaces.
Rana Sodhi further elaborated that invitation would be extended to Fauja Singh, Mann Kaur and Milkha Singh apart from other top players from the country to participate as Special Guests. He also disclosed that famous cricketer Harbhajan Singh has already given his consent for the event. He also divulged that invitation would also be extended to all the Olympians from Punjab, Padma Shri awardees, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees, Dronacharya as well as the Dhyan Chand awardees abesides Athletics Federation of India.The Sports Minister further said that a total of 90 prizes would be awarded to the tune of Rs. 20 lakh. The prize of Full Marathon (Male/Female) is Rs. 2 lakh whereas the winners (Male/Female) of the Half Marathon would be Rs. 1.25 lakh. A total of 60 special prizes would be up for grabs for the persons between 45-50, 50-55, 55-60, 60-65 and above 65 years of age.During the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary (Sports) Mr. Sanjay Kumar, ADGP Law & Order Mr. Ishwar Singh, DPI Colleges Mr. Gurloveleen Singh, Director Health Department Dr. Jatinder Kaur, Chief Conservator (Soil Conservation) Mr. Dharminder Sharma, CEO Daily World Mr. H.S. Gujral, Chief Engineer GMADA Mr. Sunil Kansal, Additional Commissioner Municipal Corporation Mr. Sarbjit Singh and Assistant Director Sports Department Mr. Kartar Singh were also in attendance.