6500 runners carry a message for change



Staff Reporter



Railways in the inaugural winners of mini-marathon






Kozhikode: A festive crowd of thousands gathered on the Kozhikode beach on Sunday morning, a good number to run and others to encourage the runners, the inaugural IPIX Calicut Mini Marathon in 2010.

The marathon, organized jointly by the Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, the PT Usha School of Athletics and the Calicut Management Association, was flagged off by Jayaram, actor, at 8:15, one hours behind schedule. Minister of State for Agriculture KV Thomas, PT Usha, athlete, and MK Raghavan, MP, was present. Ms. Usha later marked the women's mini-marathon.

As many as 6,500 people had registered for the marathon for the 10-km and 3-km versions. The 10-km version saw runners from six to 60, with about 950 men and 125 women compete for the top honours.

The milling crowds at the registration desks at the beach witnessed the enthusiasm shown by the citys youth and the young at heart in turn.

Be the Change "was the theme of this year's marathon, which organizers said was aimed at youth awareness of social evils and called on them to change is change itself

The winners took home a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh while the first runners-up got Rs.50,000 and the second runners-up, Rs. 25000. District Collector P.B. Salim gave away the prizes to the men and Ms. Usha to the women.