Kochi: Preparations for the second edition of the Federal Bank Kochi Marathon, which is set to be held on February 11, have been completed. Marathon route, medals, and t-shirts were unveiled at a function on Thursday. Along with the 42.195km marathon, 21.097km half marathon, 10km run, and 3km green run, a special run will be held this year for differently-abled people. The marathon, organised by CleoSportz, will be held on a route approved by World Athletics.
The marathon will be flagged off at 4am at Maharaja’s College Ground. It will move on to Thevara Junction through MG Road and from there through Foreshore Road will reach Marine Drive and move on to Vallarpadam Container Road through Goshree Bridge and take a U-turn from Cheranelloor Junction and return the same way and will conclude at the starting point. The half marathon will begin at 5am, 10K run at 6am, 3K Green Run at 7am, and 1.3km special run at 7.30am. As many as 7280 runners have been registered for the marathon so far. According to the organisers, there will facility for spot registration at the expo, which will be held on Friday and Saturday. The organisers have been expecting 800 to 1000 entries through spot registration. 800 people have been registered for the special run.
Race Director Sabari Nair said that with the participation of runners from more than 10 countries and 20 states in India the Federal Bank Kochi Marathon will become an international event. Federal Bank Kochi Marathon will be a huge success in terms of public participation, said Suresh Kumar, Vice President Federal Bank He added that around 500 employees of Federal Bank, will take part in the marathon. The prize money for this year’s marathon is Rs 15 lakh.
The organisers informed that elaborate arrangements have been made for conducting the marathon safely. Dr. Hari, Emergency Medicine, Aster Medcity Kochi, and Medical Director, FBKM said, “Base Medical Camp at the holding area and six medical stations throughout the course will be arranged.” Ambulances will be kept ready to attend to any emergency situation, said Dr. Hari adding that all race-day volunteers have been trained on necessities like emergency care and processes like CPR and so on.
Representatives of the Athletics Federation India will officially inspect start and finishing lines and U-turns. Tiger Balm, official pain relief partner of the marathon, will set up touch points on the marathon route to address all kinds of pain felt by the runners. Services of professional sports therapists will be available at the relief zones for treating post-marathon pain and difficulties.
CleoSportz Directors Anish K. Paul, Byju Paul, and M. R. K. Jayaram, Sabari Nair; Federal Bank Kochi Marathon Project Head Vipin Nambiar and Kerala State Athletics Association representative Solomon Antony, Course Director Amir Sandivan were also present on the occasion.
