Shillong, Sep 27: Kresstarjune Pathaw was just 5 seconds behind the winner of the 4th Sohra Half Marathon 2025 elite men’s race today, with the Meghalayan having to settle for the silver medal.
The men’s category of the elite 21km race was won by Dinesh Kumar in a time of 1 hour, 3 minutes and 24 seconds. Kresstarjune crossed the finish line in 1:03:29, while third-place Ravi’s time was 1:05:30.
The women’s elite race was won by Tamsi Singh (1:15:48) ahead of Tsehay Desalegn Adhana (1:16:17) of Ethiopia and Km Sangeeta Pal (1:21:03).
Both winning times were slower than those of last year’s – 1:03:00 men’s and 1:14:04 women’s.
Meghalaya half marathoners have the option to either compete in the elite race or in the Meghalaya-only category. The prize money of the elite is higher but the level of competition is usually also greater.
Last year, Kresstarjune won the Meghalaya category and in 2025 he took on the challenge of the elite race. He finished last year in 1:05:21, thus improving this year by 1 minute, 52 seconds.
The fastest Meghalayan woman in the elite category was Iutiful Tympuin (1:42:43), who was fourth, quite some distance away from the podium finishers. In fact, the top eight women in the Meghalayan-only category all had fastest times. This category was won by Phyrnai Kyndait (1:27:29), with Filinza Hansepi (1:29:06) second and Bethlyne Grace Makri (1:34:08) third.
The men’s Meghalaya 21km category was won by Iohborlang Nongspung (1:05;23). His time would have been fast enough for third place in the elite race. Second was Monas Bongrung (1:06:37) and third was Wanbok L Mawphlang (1:06:40) three seconds behind.
The 10km men’s and women’s races are open (without any Meghalaya-only category). The men’s 18-39 age group was won by Navneet Singh Rathore (0:29:31) ahead of Wanshankupar L Mawphlang (0:29:51) and Rohit Kumar Rai (0:30:15).
The corresponding women’s 18-39 category was won by Neha Mishra in a time of 0:34:14, with Meena Kumari Subba (0:36:25) second and Marqueenless Ramsiej (0:36:37) third.
The number of runners stood at 10,576 this year, a new record, with most participating in the 5km ‘Fun Run’.
The half marathon was flagged off by Olympic medallist and six-time boxing world champion MC Mary Kom in the presence of Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla and local MLA Gavin M Mylliem. Shella MLA Balajied Synrem, Chief Secretary Donald P Wahlang and others were present at the prize distribution ceremony.
The total amount distributed was approximately Rs 15.50 lakh among the different categories.
(Photo contributed)
