The scenic route of Chunna Bhatta to North Bay came alive yesterday as the Directorate of Education and Sports, along with the Deputy Education Office, Wimberlygunj, successfully conducted the second edition of the North Bay Road Marathon. The event, open to all age groups, drew more than 400 enthusiastic participants, including school students, showcasing the growing popularity of community-level sports initiatives in the islands.
The event featured multiple race categories: a 10-km run for men and school boys and a 5-km run for women and girl students from Wimberlygunj Educational Zone. The race began and ended at Chunna Bhatta near Ram Mandir, traversing the scenic stretch to North Bay and back. Community spirit was in full display as spectators lined the roads cheering the runners.
At the conclusion of the race, winners were felicitated in an enthusiastic prize-giving ceremony attended by top education and administrative officials. The Director of Education and Sports, Vikram Singh, presided over the event as chief guest, while the Assistant Commissioner of Swaraj Dweep, Sushant Padha, was present as the guest of honour. They jointly distributed cash prizes to winners in the men’s category.
In the men’s open 10-km category, Sandeep took first place, followed by N Eshwaran and Vishal. Anil Ekka and Bala Raju received consolation prizes for their efforts. The women’s 5-km open category saw P Alanganal securing the top spot, with Minachi and Sushma Soy finishing second and third, respectively. Nidhi Munda and Reena Lohar were acknowledged with consolation prizes.
In the Wimberlygunj Educational Zone categories, Ganesh Kumar led the boys’ 10-km race, followed by Anay Tete and Hari Karan. K Harshit Paul received a consolation award. Among the girls, Sushmita won the 5-km race, with Abhinaya Shree and Harshini securing the next positions. K Darshini received a consolation award for her performance.
The women’s prizes were awarded by Rasheeda, Pradhan of GP Hopetown, and ZP Member Mariyam Bibi. The boys’ and girls’ school categories saw active encouragement from Canara Bank, represented by Chief Manager Devlin Dutta, who also handed out cash prizes. The bank sponsored all cash awards for the event, further reflecting public-private collaboration in promoting grassroots sports.
Beyond the medals and monetary incentives, the marathon carried a larger message. In his valedictory remarks, the Director of Education and Sports urged the youth to embrace sports not just as a recreational activity but as a powerful tool to lead a healthy lifestyle. He also underscored its importance in steering young minds away from substance abuse and promoting discipline and community engagement.
The marathon, with its wide participation and vibrant atmosphere, provided a much-needed boost to the local sporting culture. It not only offered a platform for physical fitness but also demonstrated how such inclusive events can foster social unity, especially when supported by schools, local governance bodies, and the private sector.
The success of North Bay Road Marathon 2.0 is expected to pave the way for more such mass participation events across different zones of the islands. The Education Department’s continued focus on encouraging fitness and sports as integral components of youth development appears to be yielding tangible outcomes on the ground.
With both experienced runners and first-time participants making their mark, the spirit of healthy competition and community engagement was the true winner of the day.
