Northeast Desk, 22nd September: The third edition of the Sohra International Half Marathon attracted a remarkable 7,200 runners from around the globe on Saturday, underscoring the growing popularity of the event. Organized by the Meghalaya government in collaboration with local sports associations, the event featured three categories: 21K, 10K, and 5K races, drawing participants from various regions and levels of expertise.
In the elite men’s 21K race, Akashay Kumar claimed victory, finishing with an impressive time of 1:03:00, outpacing Lovepreet Singh and Kailash Chaudhary, who finished in 1:03:19 and 1:05:00, respectively.
On the women’s side, Ankita Ben Gavit secured the top spot in the elite 21K race, clocking in at 1:14:04. She narrowly edged out Tamsi Singh, who crossed the finish line just eight seconds later. Nisha claimed third place with a time of 1:21:59.
Local athletes from Meghalaya made a strong showing in the *21K category. Kresstarjune Pathaw led the local men’s field, finishing in 1:05:21, followed by Emphius Nongrum (1:09:26) and Teiboklang Biam (1:09:54). In the women’s division, Phyrnai Kyndait topped the Meghalayan podium with a time of 1:29:37, trailed by Bandasharai Marwei (1:32:50) and Filinza Hansepi (1:33:55).
The marathon also saw robust local involvement, with over 2,000 runners from Sohra participating and community members volunteering in various roles, from logistics to cheering on participants.
Prominent state officials, including Revenue and Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla and local MLAs, were present to support the event. The marathon is part of a broader government initiative aimed at promoting health, fitness, and tourism in Meghalaya, further cementing the state’s reputation as a sporting and cultural destination.
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