In a celebration of Navy Day, the Indian Navy’s National Hydrographic Office (NHO) hosted the second edition of the Dehradun Navy Half Marathon on Sunday, bringing together enthusiastic participants and spectators in the city. The event featured three competitive running categories: the Sandhayak run spanning 21 kilometers, the Sutlej run over 10 kilometers, and the Makar run covering 5 kilometers. These categories were aptly named after various classes of survey ships operated by the Indian Navy.
The half marathon commenced early in the morning, with the 21 km race being officially launched at 6:15 AM by the chief guest, Vice Admiral Lochan Singh Pathania, who serves as the chief hydrographer to the Government of India. The event took place at the Jaswant Ground located in Garhi Cantonment, contributing to a spirited atmosphere filled with excitement.
The 10 km and 5 km races followed shortly after, with the flagging off conducted by Maj Gen Prem Raj, the general officer commanding of the Uttarakhand sub-area, and Rear Admiral Peyush Pawsey, the joint chief hydrographer at the NHO.
Results from the competitive events were impressive, showcasing the athletic prowess of the participants. In the male category of the 21 km half marathon, Pawan Singh emerged as the winner, clocking an outstanding time of 1 hour and 13 minutes. Aruna Mishra claimed the top spot in the female category, finishing with a time of 2 hours and 4 minutes.
In the 10 km race, Kulwinder (first name only provided) took first place in the male category with a remarkable time of 33 minutes and 52 seconds. In the female category, Sneha (first name only provided) triumphed with a finishing time of 41 minutes and 58 seconds. The 5 km race, designated as a non-timed event, allowed for a more casual participation, adding to the festive spirit of the marathon.
Overall, the Dehradun Navy Half Marathon not only highlighted the spirit of competition and fitness but also served as a significant occasion to celebrate the contributions of the Indian Navy to the nation.
