Despite rains, 26-year-old Ranjit Kumar Patel from Nashik, crossed the distance of 21 km in 1:07:41 to emerge victorious in the men’s open category of the 29th Thane Mayor Varsha Marathon held yesterday. The second position went to Deepak Kumbhar and the third to Santosh Kumar, Vinit Malik was fourth with Chandrakant Manwadkar coming fifth.
In the women’s category (15 km), Monica Athare claimed the first position, clocking 56:52, the second position went to Swati Gathave, while the third position went to Aarti Deshmukh with Shital Barai coming fourth and Nayan Kirdar bagging the fifth position.
For Monica Athare, who emerged victor in the women’s category, winning the title was special as she was able to set a record. “I wanted to improve my timing, but it was not to be. However, I am happy I created the record,” she added.
Nearly 21,700 athletes participated in the marathon held in nine different categories.
This year, also students from tribal areas of the district, such as Wada, Jawhar, Palghar, Talasari, Dahanu and Vikramgad participated.
The highlight of the marathon was watching a senior citizen who got first position, Narayan Ramnath Jaanwar, while the second position went to Eknath Raghunath Patil, third to Sambhaji Dere, Harishchandra Patil came forth, while the fifth position went to Kisan Arbuj. They were all from the senior citizens’ (men) category.
More than 21 thousand competitors ran in the marathon with a valuable message of being free from plastic and organ donation.
Thane Municipal Corporation and Thane District Athletes Association organised the marathon in the presence of famous artists and athletes.
The winners were awarded cash prize of Rs. 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively and awarded with honors, bouquet and shawl respectively. Other winners in the competition were rewarded with cash and honors, bouquets.
Expressing happiness over winning the title, Ranjit Kumar Patel, who has participated for the second time in Thane marathon, said: "First time I got fourth position here but today I got first position. Actually I was working out nearly 18 and 20 km regularly."