CWG Steeplechase Silver Medalist and Olympic finalist, Avinash Sable will grace the 10th Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation Marathon (VVMCM) with his presence as Event Ambassador, which will see the country’s leading long distance runners vying for a piece of the Rs 54 lakh prize money purse on December 11, it was announced by the Hon’ble Municipal Commissioner of VVCMC, Anilkumar Pawar at a press conference in the city, here, on Wednesday.
Being held after a forced hiatus of two years due to the pandemic, the National Level event will see an increase in prize money across all categories of Rs 18 lakhs and the prize purse on offer now stands at a whopping Rs 54 lakhs, easily among the highest prize money on offer among races in the country, exclusively for Indian athletes.
To also reward the participants, it has been decided to give every runner a branded running T shirt from the renowned sports brand Berge. Besides this, every participant will get a 3D Finishers medal, a loaded goodie bag, hot breakfast, timing certificate valid around the world and a free finish photograph. Besides this, all outstation participants will be provided with free stay and all their meals will be taken care of by the Corporation.
The VVMCM will be run under the aegis of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), while the route has been measured and certified by the Association of International Marathons (AIMS) and has been certified by ‘World Athletics’.
The Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation Marathon has once again attracted the country’s top long distance athletes, who will be vying for glory and piece of the prize money purse. Army’s Kartik Kumar is the fastest in the field for the men’s half marathon, with a personal best timing of 1:02.38 and he will face competition from Gorkha Regiment’s Tirtha Pun (PB 1:04.53), UP’s Anil Kumar Yadav (PB 1:03.54) and Murli Gavit (PB 1:03.42).
Photography Competition: For the first time, the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation Marathon has instituted an award for the Best Published Photograph of the Marathon. Cash Prizes of Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs.5,000 will be awarded to the top three winners.
