Over 15,000 runners register for the IDBI Kolkata Full Marathon

Over 15,000 runners are set to participate in the 3^rd edition of the IDBI Federal Life Insurance Kolkata Full Marathon which will flag off from the iconic Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday, 3^rd February, 2019. Cricketing legend and Brand Ambassador of IDBI Federal Life Insurance, Sachin Tendulkar will be present to motivate the runners and flag off all the races. Organised by NEB Sports, this year’s marathon has witnessed an overwhelming response from runners in Kolkata, with an 85% increase in the number of registrations. The Full Marathon will see 500 runners competing, while 3,000 runners will be a part of the Half Marathon. The Timed 10K and 5K Fun Run will witness 4,500 and 7,000 participants respectively. Close to 2,000 personnel from the police and defense forces are participating across the various race categories this year. The Marathon has also received a strong response from the Corporate sector with over 3000 registrations from organizations such as Cognizant and IndusInd. The Full Marathon will flag off at 4:30 a.m., followed by the Half Marathon at 6:00 a.m. The Timed 10K and 5K Fun Run will start at 7:45 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. respectively. Runners will be competing for a total prize money pool of Rs. 6 lakhs. Among the many inspirational runners participating in this edition are Anjali Saraogi, last year’s winner of the Full Marathon and an accomplished ultra-runner who has represented India in international events, Bylahalli Janardan, an 86-year-old who is planning to run the Half Marathon, Mohammed Asif Iqbal, a visually impaired runner, and Shubhashis Ghosh, who suffers from a rare heart ailment but is determined to keep on running. Through the Medical Partner,

Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals Kolkata, 50 cancer survivors would be participating in this year’s marathon and covering a distance of 2 kms. The first 1 km of the route will also carry specific cancer awareness and motivational messages at intervals. Speaking about the Marathon, Rana Dasgupta, CEO, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals Kolkata expressed, “It’s a great pleasure to partner with IDBI Federal Life Insurance for the Kolkata Full Marathon 2019, where 50 cancer survivors would also participate. Along with several other passionate runners, these determined survivors would walk for 2 kms. It would be a delight to see them getting back to life and participating in such an event after being cured of their illness. Their participation would truly showcase their mental strength to #KeepMoving and help in motivating others who are dealing with the illness now.”

Karthik Raman, Chief Marketing Officer, IDBI Federal Life Insurance said, “We are delighted to see the tremendous growth in participation for the 3^rd edition of the IDBI Federal Life Insurance Kolkata Full Marathon. In the first year, we had close to 5000 registrations which has tripled in three years to over 15,000 participants. This is a very positive sign that people in Kolkata are increasingly taking up the cause of fitness and are determined to stay active and #KeepMoving.” Nagaraj Adiga, Race Director, said, “The running culture in Kolkata has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years and the registration numbers for the IDBI Federal Life Insurance Kolkata Full Marathon 2019 bear witness to this. With a new route this year, we look forward to enhancing the marathon experience for our participants and wish them the very best during their final preparations for Race Day.”