Mangaluru
Mangaluru hosted the fourth edition of the prestigious NiveusMangaluru Marathon on Sunday, drawing runners from across India and abroad. Organized by the Mangaluru Runners Club (MRC), the event witnessed participation from over 6,000 athletes, including representatives from Australia, Japan, Denmark, Nigeria, and multiple Indian states.
The marathon featured six categories: the Full Marathon (42.195 km), 20-Miler (32 km), Half Marathon (21.1 km), 10K, 5K, and a 2K Fun Run. Participants ranged from professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts to hobby runners of all ages. The Full Marathon began at 4:15 AM, flagged off by 76-year-old veteran runner and NIT alumnus, Johnson Paul Moylan, who completed his third full marathon at this event. Other categories were flagged off by key figures, including Neevies Solutions’ Marketing Director Abhishek Hegde, Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, and local dignitaries.
Notable performances included Madhav Saripall, a 68-year-old auto driver, completing the 32 km race in 3:26:07, while Thomas Babi Philip finished the same distance in 2:25:30. In the Full Marathon open category, Nazim from Koonur won the men’s division in 2:42:15, and Shreya M from Sulya secured the women’s title in 3:22:08. Students participated enthusiastically in the 5K and 10K categories, highlighting widespread community involvement. All finishers were awarded the “Running Tiger” medal, and top performers in each category received prizes.
NiveusSolutions CEO, Suyog Shetty, praised the Mangaluru Runners Club for their relentless efforts, noting the marathon’s growth into one of the city’s largest community events. Race Director Mehwish Husein emphasized the improved quality and participation each year, while MP Captain Brijesh Chaut lauded Mangaluru’s potential to host world-class sporting events. The marathon not only promoted fitness but also showcased the city’s organizational and community spirit, setting a benchmark for future editions.
