Manali Marathon 4.0: Seema Bhardwaj and Rajiv Thakur Clinch Top Honors
Seema Bhardwaj and Rajiv Thakur clinch top spots at the 4th Manali Marathon, an event blending athletic excellence with environmental conservation.
The scenic landscapes of Himachal Pradesh played host to the fourth edition of the Manali Marathon, which concluded on Sunday. The event saw a massive turnout of runners from across India, transforming the mountain town into a hub of fitness, sporting excellence, and environmental consciousness.
The Champions of the Track
The competition was fierce across multiple categories, with athletes pushing their limits against the challenging high-altitude terrain. In the highly anticipated 10-km race, Seema Bhardwaj emerged as the overall winner in the women's category. She was followed by Priyanka Saini in second place and Syed Aasia in third.
In the men's 10-km category, Rajiv Thakur secured the top spot, while Lokesh Kumar and Mahendra Singh finished second and third, respectively.
The 5-km race also saw impressive performances. Ashraya Vashisht took the gold in the women's section, with Anubhavi Awasthi and Sarika Thakur following her. Among the men, Piyush bagged the first position, while Brijlal and Ayush Thakur claimed the second and third spots.
More Than Just a Race
The two-day extravaganza, held on October 31 and November 1, was not limited to short distances. The event featured a diverse range of challenges, including:
- The grueling 100-km Rohtang Pass Ultra Challenge
- The Full Marathon (42 km)
- The Half Marathon (21 km)
- The 10-km and 5-km races
- A special 'Run for Fun' category for children
A Green Initiative
Beyond the medals, the Manali Marathon 4.0 carried a powerful message of sustainability. In a commendable effort to protect the fragile mountain ecosystem, the Green Warriors were active throughout the event, collecting approximately 15,000 plastic bottles to ensure the region remained clean and pollution-free.
Organiser Praveen Sood emphasized that the primary goals of the marathon were to encourage youth to engage in sports, promote a drug-free Himachal Pradesh, and spread awareness about environmental protection.
Voices from the Course
For many, the race was a test of endurance. Aishi Malhotra, a runner from Delhi, noted that while she had completed several 10-km races in the capital, the uphill stretches and high altitude of Manali presented a completely different challenge. She shared that she even had to walk for a few kilometers before the sun emerged to improve conditions.
Another participant, Rahul from Palampur, turned the event into a family affair, participating in the 5-km race with his relatives. He used the platform to urge the younger generation to shun drugs and embrace a healthy, active lifestyle.
Official Recognition
The winners were felicitated by Deputy Commissioner Kullu Amit Sharma and Superintendent of Police Kullu Abhishek S. DC Sharma, who also flagged off the shorter races, stated that the district administration is committed to organizing similar events to inspire the youth to adopt fitness as a way of life.
The event also saw participation from senior journalists, including Jaswant Thakur, Narendra Angariya, and Shiv Ram Rana, who joined officials in championing the cause of health and cleanliness. SDM Manali Gunjit Singh Cheema further noted the administration's full support in making the event a success.