Shillong, Sep 9: Tuesday will be the last day to register for the 3rd Sohra International Half Marathon 2024, though only in the 10km and 21km categories as slots for the 5km ‘Fun Run’ are full.
The race is set to take place on 21st September. The Meghalaya State Olympic Association, which is organising the event in collaboration with the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, had previously stated that the limit across all categories is 4,000 runners.
However, at a press conference held here today, addressed by MSOA Working President John F Kharshiing, MSOA General Secretary Finely L Pariat and DSYA Director DD Shira, it was announced that 7,736 runners had registered by today morning, of which 5,583 are in the ‘Run for Fun’.
Kharshiing said that the MSOA has been “very encouraged” by the “great community response from the people of Sohra and adjoining areas.” He added that, as organisers, the MSOA is learning from the past two editions and this event is really creating an impact in other sectors, such as tourism.
Runners are coming in from all over India and seven foreigners have also registered – two from Bangladesh and the other five from Kenya and Ethiopia.
Pariat said that the huge interest by local runners “shows the spirit of Meghalaya” and all the volunteers are locals from in and around Sohra. He further informed that the race has a budget of Rs 2 crore, largely funded by the state government, which is low by Indian race standards, though he said the prize money on offer is comparable to other events.
Registered runners can collect their chest numbers and official t-shirts on 19th and 20th September between 11AM and 4PM at the JN Stadium here. Runners should bring ID proof with them when collecting the bibs and t-shirts or provide written authorisation if they aren’t coming in person. Runners from in and around Sohra taking part in the ‘Run for Fun’ don’t have to pick these up from Shillong but can do so from Sohra (contact the MSOA for further information).
These t-shirts have to be worn by the ‘Run for Fun’ participants and those in the other races must wear them at the prize distribution ceremony if they finish in the podium positions.
A bus will be provided for runners to get to the starting point and back. Contact the MSOA for further details.
(Representative photo)
