Golghar

Run to promote the city on the tourist map — that’s the motto of Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC), which is organising a marathon, “Cross Country Run”, on October 12.

“Toddlers to teenagers, homemakers to honchos, athletes to the aged, schoolchildren to professionals, everyone is invited to participate in the marathon to highlight the potential of the city, which has a rich history and bright future. As of now, the exact route of the marathon has not been finalised but it is likely to cover important places in the city,” said Anupam Kumar Suman, managing director, BSTDC.

Sources claimed that a few important spots to be covered under the proposed marathon include Golghar, Patna Museum and Shaheed Smarak (in front of the Assembly) among others.

In order to follow the general practice in conducting marathons across the globe, the BSTDC is also contemplating to have a mascot for the event. The maiden marathon in Patna was organised in April 2012. The mascot of the 2012 Patna Marathon was Paltan, a Gangetic dolphin.

“Like the Golghar Challenge, the Cross Country Run would also be promoted on social networking websites to ensure maximum participation,” said Suman.

In the Golghar Challenge organised by BSTDC on September 7, participants were asked to take their “selfies” atop and in front of the heritage granary and upload it on Facebook. The participants getting the maximum number of “likes” on their selfie were given prizes on September 15.

Other modalities being mulled for the marathon include prior registration of the participants and offering them T-shirts for the event.