More than 5,500 athletes took part in the first edition of the Coal India Marathon organised by Central Coalfields Ltd on Sunday, making it the first officially registered marathon of Jharkhand. With categories of a 42-kilometre full marathon, a 21-km half marathon, a 10-km run and a 5-km run, runners started at Morabadi’s Birsa Munda Stadium before concluding their running journey back at the same stadium. Categories included were also segregated for men and women. At the end of the marathon, a total prize money of Rs 29.70 lakh was distributed with the full marathon winner walking away with Rs 3 lakh, and half marathon winners of both genders receiving Rs 2 lakh each, and the winner of the 10-km run getting Rs 1 lakh.
Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL) is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), which is a state-owned coal mining corporation. It is headquartered in Ranchi, India and was established in 1975. CCL’s core activities include a wide range of mining operations related to coal production and its duties are to promote the development of a balanced regional economy by providing employment in the areas it serves.
The Coal India Marathon was first conceived by Ranchi Sub Divisional Magistrate, Abhay Kumar. He was appointed to host and coordinate the event, and it was his vision to organize the nation’s most popular marathon in the state of Jharkhand. Kumar was known for his leading role in enabling the successful completion of the marathon, and for coordinating with the participating athletes. He is commended for the significant efforts he took to ensure a smooth running of the event and for helping to promote sports activities in the region. Without his vision and support, the Coal India Marathon wouldn’t have been possible.
