New Delhi, July 17 (PTI) The Great India Run, India s first multi city marathon, was today flagged off after a ceremony at the Amar Jawan Jyoti here today.
The event kicked off with a warm up session of the participating 15 ultra runners followed by flagging off the ultra run and 5k fun run.
Sports Minister Vijay Goel, Khel Ratna Anju Bobby George, and actor Gul Panag were present at the event.
Arun Bhardwaj led the team of 14 ultra runners at India Gate while three of the runners simultaneously flagged off 1480km run from Ghaziabad. At around 10:30 am all runners culminated at Kingdom of Dreams, Gurgaon to kick start the Haryana leg of run. The 5k fun run were also organised at each of these venues that saw participation from youngsters in galore.
The run, one of the longest and most challenging in Asia, will test the resilience of even the most experienced of the pack. It will pass through Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, finally culminating at Mumbai in Maharasthra on August 6.
“The aim of this endeavor is to urge our countrymen to actively focus on their fitness and well-being. Through The Great India Run we also aim to showcase what phenomenal milestones a disciplined runner can achieve,” said Gul Panag.