24march, Manali
The preparations are in full swing and almost on the verge of completion for the country’s first snow marathon to be held on March 26 at Lahaul Valley. Lahaul and Spiti Deputy Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, SDM Priya Nagta along with representatives of Reach India, Goldrope Adventure, Sissu Ski and SnowBoard Club and other organizing groups reviewed arrangements. Organizer Rajesh Chand informed that the marathon is being organized in five categories – Full Marathon – 42 Km, Half Marathon – 21 Km, 10 Km, 5 Km and 1 Km, which has a complete snow-covered trek. The starting and end point of the marathon is the Sissu helipad.
He said that apart from the government arrangements, volunteers of the marathon are also giving their services. According to him, 150 participants are participating from all over the country till Thursday, while there is widespread enthusiasm among the women participants. Over the past one month, the organizers have been gearing up for the preparation of the marathon in practice, route mapping, medical and other forms arrangements. He said that it is a matter of pride not only for the district of Lahaul, Spiti and Himachal Pradesh but for the entire country that for the first time such an event is being organized at a height of 1000 feet above the sea level. Organiser’s effort is to make it an annual event and to make the young generation aware of the Fit India Movement, as well as to remove the drug addiction that is taking a formidable form in the society.
