14,000 runners participate in Hyderabad Marathon

Hyderabad, Aug 30 (INN): The final moment arrived for all Hyderabadis as they experienced the joy of running while celebrating the 5th Year of the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon today.

The mega annual sporting extravaganza and the pride of Hyderabad 'Airtel Hyderabad Marathon' was flagged off today in the early morning hours. Telangana IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan flagged off the 10K Run at the Hitex Exhibition Center, while Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Jithender flagged off the Full Marathon (42.195 kms) and Half Marathon (21.095 kms) at People's Plaza, Necklace Road, in the presence of Venkatesh Vijayraghavan, Chief Executive Officer, Bharti Airtel ' Telangana & Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Murali Nannapaneni, Race Director ' Airtel Hyderabad Marathon, Ganesh Rao, Head, Telangana & Andhra Pradesh, Daikin India, SGK Kishore, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport, Kartikeya, DCP, Law & order, Cyberabad and other dignitaries from the Government, organising team and corporate world.

Sunday morning witnessed around 14000 sports loving people, health and fitness enthusiasts gearing up at the start line of Airtel Hyderabad Marathon. As the flag off marked the beginning of the Marathon, runners across age groups rub shoulders with each other; while a few came prepared devising their own strategy to accomplish prominent positions at the end of the race, few participated for experiencing the joy of running and spreading happiness.

As the marathon runners cross across important landmarks in Hyderabad, cheers and roars reverberated the streets as the volunteers and people joined the runners, supporting and encouraging them to accomplish their goal. With 10K Runners, joining from Hitex Exhibition Center, converged with the Full Marathon and Half Marathon runners, the excitement reached the next level as they headed towards the Gachibowli Stadium to finish their marathon.

Representing Hyderabad Runners Society, Dr. Murali Nannapaneni, Race Director ' Airtel Hyderabad Marathon, said, 'It's a proud moment for all Hyderabadis as the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon is reaching great heights year-on-year. It is indeed truly inspiring to see such large number of sports loving people coming together not only to be part of this event but also to promote active lifestyle among larger public.

'We extend heartfelt thanks to the Government of Telangana, partners, sponsors, volunteers and other stakeholders for coming forward and helping us in organising the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon in a seamless and an exciting way' he further added.

Speaking on the occasion, Venkatesh Vijayraghavan, Chief Executive Officer, Bharti Airtel ' Telangana & Andhra Pradesh, said 'Airtel Hyderabad Marathon has come a long way, from what started as a dream, over the last four years to a point where it has become the single largest running event in the city. The enthusiasm, participation and commitment from all quarters of the city has grown manifold and has enabled the realization of our dream to create a cornerstone event for the citizens of the vibrant of city. Airtel Hyderabad Marathon imbibes that spirit of creating smiles and spreading it across and therefore, a great platform for us to connect with the city of Hyderabad, I am delighted to witness the overwhelming response from the citizens of Hyderabad, the participants from across cities and all the runners from overseas'.

To mark the celebrated fifth edition of AHM and honor the incredible sporting spirit of the citizens, Shri Ram Life Insurance and Airtel have come forward with exciting prizes. The organising team, Hyderabad Runners Society, in association with Shriram Life, announced prizes for the First Elite Indian male and female winners to a fully paid sponsored trip to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. Encouraging the male and female runners of the Half-Marathon, Airtel announced two exciting prizes of a high-end smartphone powered by Airtel 4G to both the winners.

The Airtel Hyderabad Marathon has witnessed the participation and support from across stakeholders ' Government, Corporates, NGOs, Organisers and the general public. The Government of Telangana played a prominent role extending great support through various institutions including GHMC, HMDA, Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police and especially making the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon an integral part of 'Happening Hyderabad' and 'Digital Telangana' initiatives.