City gears up for 1st Chandigarh Marathon in Oct

The UT Sports Department will be conducting the 1st Chandigarh Marathon on the lines of Mumbai and Delhi (half) marathons in October, which will see participation by international runners as well. The event was earlier scheduled for January in the annual sports calendar 2024-25.The participants will be competing in various categories — 42.195 km (full marathon), 21km (half marathon), 10 km and 5 km — and the winners will get cash awards. The department has tied up with a company to get the route certification, which is mandatory for conducting such international events. In the run up to the event, the department has launched a “logo design and tag line competition”. The last date for submitting entries is March 17 and the first three winners will be awarded Rs 10,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000, respectively.

“The department has started the process. The major part will be getting the route certification, which is already underway. Not only Indian or tricity runners but the event will also be open to international runners,” said Sorabh Kumar Arora, Director, Sports.

The department is also finding ways to make the marathon a plastic-free event. “Yes, we are finding all possible ways to make it a plastic-free event. Cups may replace water bottles; traditional metal discs (medals) can be replaced with wooden ones or the chest number taping may get replaced with printed material....right now, everything is under consideration,” added Arora.

In recent times, especially after the Covid pandemic, such activities have increased in the city. Almost every weekend, half marathons or mini-marathons are held by various organisations.

10.5-km loop near Capitol Complex

Sources claimed that the Sports Department is focusing on conducting the marathon from the Capitol Complex, given less traffic movement on roads in the area. The run will cover a 10.5-km loop before ending back at the Capitol Complex. The cut-off timing (men and women) will be announced after holding talks with experts, said a source. The minimum and maximum temperatures in Chandigarh during October usually remain between 23°C and 32°C, respectively. However, the Meteorological Department has predicted warm weather in October.