Five hundred athletes reach Gunji to participate in high altitude Ultra marathon
Five hundred athletes reach Gunji to participate in high altitude Ultra marathon
B.D. Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Nov 1
More than 163 athletes from 20 states of the country, will participate in the 60 km long first Ultra Marathon race being organised by Uttarakhand tourism on November 2.
“A total 163 athletes will undertake the 60 km long run while 85 will take part in the 42 km long marathon. A total of 190 athlete will run for 21 km half marathon, 207 of them will take part in the 10 km long race and 118 athletes will be part of 5 km run at this high Himalayan altitude, ” said Kriti Chandra Arya, District Tourist Officer (DTO) of Pithoragarh.
More than 20 athletes have been declared unfit for race after medical examination at Gunji.
“Out of 500 athletes who have already reached Gunji for the race, 20 Athletes are from ITBP,” said the DTO.
” For the first such race at 10000 to 14000 feet high altitude, we have done elaborated arrangements, including establishing medical relief post, emergency oxygen cylinder stock, sufficient number of ambulances and other health support systems.” said a press release of the district administration. The event is getting full support from Army and ITBP.
The athletes who reached from Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Sikkim, J& K, Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh have prepared themselves after acclimatising for two days in this high Himalayan region.
“While the athletes are being welcomed according to traditional ceremonies, we have also showcased local craft’s goods, local food stalls, handicrafts and teams of local cultural programmes to make an effect on the guests to pursue them to visit ‘Adi Kailash’ region in future as well,” said the tourist officer.
