Over 40,000 enthusiasts participate in third annual half marathon in Gujarat

Pittsburgh Star (ANI) Sunday 5th February, 2012

The third edition of annual half marathon in Gujarat's Vadodhra District saw the participation of over 40,000 participants including 50 international runners on Sunday.

The marathon, which was flagged of by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, is being claimed to be the biggest in the country overtaking the recently held Mumbai marathon, which saw the participation of around 38,000 runners.

Modi congratulated people for their dedication and hard work in making the marathon a hit in a span of three years.

"A small initiative which was started three years ago, has now grown big and this time around 41,000 runners are participating in the marathon sans the participation of any celebrity. I congratulate the people for their hard work and dedication," said Modi.

Besides the main event, the organisers kept separate categories for men and women amateur runners for 15-kilometre runs.

Around 34 runners from Ethiopia, nine from Kenya and one each from Palestine and USA tried their luck to win the top honours. (ANI)