More than 4,000 participants took part in the debut marathon organized by Ver Foundation to spread awareness about the green revolution in Coimbatore city. A majority of participants were school students who were also first time runners. The youngest participant was eight years old, and a 68-year-old woman was the oldest.

School children were exempted from paying registration fees.

“This is my very first marathon. Normally on Sundays, I would visit Happy Streets. A few friends meet and we play badminton. However, when we got to know that participation in the marathon is free, my friends and I made up our mind that we will participate.” Mrithika Suresh, a Class IX student of a private school, said.

Seconding her was her classmate and friend, Reshmi Devi, who was all excited to complete the five-kilometre run. “In the past we have had people visit our school and give away saplings. However, the marathon is a nice way to spread awareness on this subject. Next year, we will be busy with our board exams, so we friends decided that we will participate this year,” she said.

Runners had the option to do the five-kilometre or 10-kilometre run. Race Course was the starting point for both the categories. The runners ran along the Race Course stretch, touched Red Fields, made a u-turn at Nirmala College, and finished the marathon at Race Course.

Both the categories were flagged off by Major D.P. Singh, who is India’s first blade runner. Major Singh however did not participate in the marathon. “In life, we will face challenges and hurdles. However, we must not lose focus of the goal. We must not face defeat and lose confidence at any time. Instead, we must work out ways of overcoming the challenges to reach our personal and professional goals,” Major D.P. Singh said, in his address at the valedictory function that was organized at Government Arts and Science College.

The first five boys and girls who reached the finish point in the five-kilometre and 10-kilometre run categories were given cash prizes, finishing medal, trophies, and certificates. Major D.P. Singh gave away prizes to the winners.

As a part of its drive to promote the green revolution in Coimbatore city, Ver Foundation has plans of planting about 3,000 trees by the year-end.