Over 2,300 people participate in first-ever high-altitude Tawang Marathon

Tawang Marathon, first high-altitude event in the north-east, drew 2,300 participants of all ages. CM Khandu completed 5km circuit. 858 from armed forces, 452 from outside state. Fog and low temperature didn't deter enthusiasm of participants and locals cheering them on.

It was a busy morning on the streets of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday as over 2,300 people of different ages and from various regions brought the town alive by joining the first edition of a marathon here.

Dignitaries joined the participants in the Tawang Marathon with Chief Minister Pema Khandu himself completing the 5-kilometre circuit.

The event, held at more than 10,000 ft above mean sea level, is the first-ever high-altitude marathon in the northeastern region.

It was jointly organised by the Indian Army and the Arunachal Pradesh government in consultation with and support from CYRUNS Sport LLP, a professional sports event management firm.

Organisers said 2,463 people, including 543 women, had registered for the event with 2,343 participants comprising 511 women running the marathon.

Thick fog and low temperature did not deter the enthusiasm of the participants as well as the local people, who showed up in large numbers to cheer for them.

Among the participants, 858 were from the armed forces with the Indian Army fielding the largest squad of 803 personnel, the organisers said. There were 452 participants from outside the state, they said.