1 There were stars galore at The Telegraph Kolkata Marathon ’06, but one outshone the rest on Sunday morning. Mobbing matched the Marathon mood as soon as Prosenjit (flanked by Roopa Ganguly and June) reached the starting point on Red Road. “I’m very happy to be here. The turnout and the enthusiasm of the people this morning just proves how spontaneous and spirited Calcuttans are,” said Tollywood’s Nayak, before obliging fans (from five to 55) with autographs on cap, paper or palm, posing for the flashbulbs and escaping the near stampede that he caused.

Others from tinsel town included Sabyasachi Chakraborty and Arindam Sil. “I’m all for the Marathon. I’m not able to run because I have a slight cramp and a shooting scheduled later. But I’ve come with my wife to show solidarity towards the city,” said ‘Feluda’.

2 It was this tiny tot who perhaps best symbolised the spirit of the Marathon. Age and ability were no bar as over 20,000 people poured on to the streets, many to run and many to cheer.

3 Hat-trick hurrah! Reena Das reached the finishing line ahead of the rest for the third year in a row at the Women’s Marathon, clocking 44 minutes and 40 seconds.

“I began running in 1986, with short distances, and then went on to cross-country and later, marathons. I’ve participated in marathons in Allahabad, Chennai, Thane, Meerut and Lucknow. I would love to go on to the international level, but I need sponsorship for that,” said the 32-year-old from Nadia who is coached by her husband Bachchu Datta. Their son Ratul joined in the Fun Run.

If for Reena Sunday was all about winning, for first-timer Divya Thirani it was all about participating. “I just decided to do this yesterday and registered. I ran the entire 10.5 km and loved it. I want to do it again next year,” said the 20-year-old.

4 What better than a beat blast while waiting for the Main Marathon to end? The crowd rocked to Bollywood and pop numbers belted out by Sandeep Vyas at the finishing point.

Pictures by Pabitra Das