Patna: The district administration finally has something to feel proud about. They have managed to get "Flying Sikh" Milkha Singh to the Patna Marathon scheduled on December 17.
Till a few days back the district administration did not have any prominent name to endorse the event, but on Monday they came out with a few tentative names apart from Milkha, who was confirmed a guest. Patna divisional commissioner Anand Kishor announced the name at Lounge Before Wicket (LBW), a restaurant in the premises of the newly-built Urja Stadium. It is also one of the places were registration for the Patna Marathon was going on.
"Milkha Singh, who is a legend, will be present during Patna Marathon and I am sure his presence will add to the state's honour," Kishor said. "As the theme of the marathon is 'run for Bihar' I feel many people will come forward for such an event taking place for the first time in Bihar."
Patna Marathon is divided into three categories - run for fun (4km), 10 and half marathon (21.2 km). It has been conceptualised by Elamai Enterprises in association with Protons Sports.
Seeing fewer participants, the organisers extended registration date till December 10. The last date was earlier Dece-mber 1. As per data available with the organisers, so far only 1,500 people have registered. Kishor claimed the number of participants will cross 5,000 soon. The half marathon is at 6.45am on December 17, the 10km run at 8.15am and the 4km run at 9am.
Two directors of the Elamai Enterprises, Yashwant Giri and Aditya Giri, were also present apart from Dharmendra Kumar, the representative of Protons Sports Pvt Ltd at Monday's meet. The organiser said a few international runners from Kenya have shown interest in the marathon.
There is cash prize of Rs 10 lakh for 126 runners. The maximum prize money is Rs 40,000 and minimum Rs 5,000. There is no cash prize in 4km run.
The organisers have approached Sonakshi Sinha, Neetu Chandra and Manoj Bajpayee to take part in the marathon but there have not been any affirmative responses yet.
