Biju Patnaik Mini Marathon Draws Over 400 Athletes

Biju Patnaik Mini Marathon Draws Over 400 Athletes

The annual Biju Patnaik Mini Marathon was organised by the Sports and Youth Services Department (DSYS), on Friday, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of legendary statesman and former Chief Minister of Odisha, late Biju Patnaik, within the Kalinga Stadium. The marathon saw participation from over 400 runners and was flagged off by Minister for Sports and Youth Services Tusharkanti Behera, Padma Shri Dilip Tirkey, and Principal Secretary, Sports and Youth Services, Vishal K Dev. Other officials and dignitaries of DSYS were also present on the occasion. 

Flagging off the annual mini marathon, Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Tusharkanti Behera, said, “It is heartening to see the enthusiasm of the participants. Despite the pandemic phase, we wanted to host this annual event and keep the legacy going. Instituted in the name of late Biju Babu, this mini marathon has always offered a fantastic running experience and there are many who eagerly await this event. It is also our way of promoting health and fitness and next year we are hoping to conduct it in its usual grand format.”

Unlike previous editions, this year, the mini marathon was closed to the public. Sportspersons and officials associated with DSYS participated in the run in regulated clusters, following Covid 19 guidelines. hydration points, medical facilities, ambulance service, route markers and course marshals were arranged by DSYS along the marathon route.