Mancherial to host national-level forest marathon on October 11

The forest department will host a national-level marathon near Mancherial on October 11 to promote ecotourism. The event will feature 5-km, 10-km and 30-km runs, with participants from across India and abroad. Saplings will be planted after the marathon.

Mancherial: District Forest Officer Rahul Jadhav announced the forest department, in collaboration with a Hyderabad-based GreenSequr Foundation, would organise a day-long national-level marathon along a safari track near Mancherial town on October 11. This is the first such event to be hosted by the department in the district.

Briefing the details of the first-ever mega running event to media persons here on Thursday, Rahul noted that the marathon would be held in three categories—5km, 10 km and 30 km—aimed at promoting ecotourism and earning recognition for the district. The event will be conducted from 5 am to 9 am. Elaborate arrangements were being made for smooth conduct of the programme.

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The DFO disclosed that 150 fitness enthusiasts and nature lovers from across India and two foreign participants had enrolled their names for the programme so far. A dedicated website, www.gtrultra.com, has been created to facilitate online registrations. A nominal fee would be collected from the participants, who are going to be provided with snacks, a T-shirt, a medal, and a certificate of appreciation.

Three tracks were developed in the forests near Gadpur village for hosting the marathon. Forest personnel would be deployed along the route to guide the participants and to handle medical emergencies. Children above eight years are allowed to take part in the 5 km run, while those over 14 years can participate in 10km and more than 18 years in 30 km events.

According to the forest authorities, saplings would be planted in honor of the participants on a piece of land in Gandhari Vanam, an urban park on the periphery of Bokkalagutta in Mandamarri mandal, the day after the event.