It is back. The city’s own annual half-marathon, and one of the only three marathons recognized by the Athletic Federation of India. This year, the marathon carries the banner ‘My city My pride’.

If you are over 18, you can run the professional half marathon, providing you pass the medical check up to be conducted at Lady Willingdon Higher Secondary School from 25 to 28th August from 10:30 a.m. onwards. As for the 7 km mini marathon, just anybody can run. If you pay Rs.100 for the run, you would be getting a certificate. Global Hospitals will be providing medical support and 15 ambulances will be on standby mode along the marathon circuit, besides paramedics and a doctor at every 3 km interval. To streamline the runners and prevent chaos, the runners will be separated into batches of 500 persons.

“The proceeds form the marathon will be utilized for providing educational support, breakfasts, and life skills training to 8600 poor and underprivileged students from corporation schools”, informs Akhila, Srinivasan, M.D., Shriram Life Insurance Company, and also a trustee of GiveLife which is organizing this marathon. “The marathon will also hopefully bring Chennailtes together and project the city as a happening place, and a virtual gateway of South India”, says Father Jegath Gaspar Raj, the brains behind this marathon and the founder and managing trustee of Tamil Maiyam, which organizes the Givelife marathon. By the way, www.findnearyou.com happens to be Givelife half marathon’s online media partner.

Runners in the fray include the city’s sporting icons like squash star Joshna Chinnappa, footballer Raman Vijayan, and film stars Arya and Prasanna, among others. And yes, the reverend father will be running the marathon.

Venue : Anna Square
Date : 29th August
Timing: 6am.