Mohit wins Sonepat half marathon

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini flagged off ‘Sonepat Half Marathon—Run against Drugs’ at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology (DCRUST) in Murthal on Sunday.

Chief Minister Saini, along with Cabinet Minister Dr Arvind Sharma, MLAs Nikhil Madaan, Pawan Kharkhoda, Devender Kadyan, Deputy Commissioner Dr Manoj Kumar and others also ran in the 5-km event for around 500 metres.

The students of Moti Lal Nehru School performed gymnastics during the event, while the school’s horse riders escorted the CM’s cavalcade to the programme stage. Mohit of Mahendergarh and Grabriwhaeid from Ethiopia secured the first positions in the 21-km marathon, in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.

In the 21-km men’s category Mohit secured the first position by completing the run within one hour four minutes and nine seconds. Banee Singh of Indian Army stood second by completing the race within one hour four minutes and 13 seconds, while Harish bagged the third place by finishing the run within one hour four minutes 26 seconds.

In the women’s 21-km category, Grabiwaheid from Ethiopia secured the first position by completing the race within one hour 16 minutes and four seconds. Sonika got the second position by finishing the run within one hour 16 minutes 17 seconds and Neeta Rani secured the third place by completing the race in one hour 16 minutes and 28 seconds.

In the 10-km run, Sawn won the first place in the men’s category by completing the race within 29 minutes and one second. Balram bagged the second place by finishing within 29 minutes and 30 seconds, while Ravi came second by completing the race in 29 minutes and 37 seconds.

In the women’s 10-km category, KM Jyoti secured the first place by finishing in 34 minutes and 26 seconds. Ruby Kashyap finished second, clocking 34 minutes and 40 seconds, while Gutema Chaltu Tedisi secured the third place by completing the race within 36 minutes and 16 seconds.

Cabinet Minister Dr Arvind Sharma awarded cash prizes to the winners. The first-place winners received Rs 1 lakh, followed by Rs 75,000 for the second position winners, while the third-place winners received Rs 50,000.

CM Saini also flagged off vehicles to distribute sports equipment to the 65 panchayats in the district. The equipment, worth approximately Rs 65 lakh, would be distributed to promote sports in rural areas.

CM Saini said the government aimed to provide good sports facilities, including equipment to rural youth, to people so they could participate in sports and bring glory to the country. The government set up sports nurseries in villages to nurture young talent in sports, the CM said.

Saini also launched a book written on the history of Sonepat on the occasion.

BJP district president Ashok Bhardwaj, Gohana district president Bijender Malik and DCRUST Vice-Chancellor Prakash Singh, among others were present during the programme.