Dhaka runners take part in Bangabandhu marathon
A lot more than 200 runners found in Dhaka took part in the "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Dhaka Marathon", marking the daddy of the nation's Homecoming Evening, the landmark moment when he stepped back to the independent nation he carved away from Pakistan.
Residence Minister Asaduzzaman Khan inaugurated the function at 6 am at Dhaka Army Stadium on Sunday.
"Bangabandhu Marathon may be the biggest sporting event globally in 2021. This celebration is a milestone in the arena of sports activities," he said.
Besides Bangladeshi individuals, runners from France, Kenya, Ethiopia, Bahrain, Belarus, Ukraine and Morocco and in least 37 sportsmen from Maldives, Nepal, India, Lesotho and Spain are getting involved in the marathon.
The house minister thanked the National Implementation Committee on Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Armed Forces, Bangladesh Athletics Federation and Bangladesh Olympic Association for organising the marathon.
Talk about Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell was first also present in the inauguration ceremony.
The function has been split into three categories -- the entire marathon, half marathon and digital marathon.
As much as 100 runners from your home and abroad are getting involved in the 42.195-km complete marathon while 100 are running the 21.097-km one half marathon.
Among the foreign athletes, 17 are operating in the 'elite' class and 12 in the 'sub-elite' class.
Bangladeshi participants include standard runners along with army and Ansar members, in line with the Inter Service Consumer Relation or ISPR.
Starting at 6:30 am for the Army Stadium, the marathon can reach Hatirjheel by using Banani and Gulshan, where the half marathon might end following two rounds and the entire marathon following five rounds.
Chief of Army Personnel Basic Aziz Ahmed attended the closing ceremony at 11 am.
The organisers have arranged an electronic marathon in the virtual platform where anyone from all over the world can register and run 5 km at places of convenience.
A mobile application has been introduced for the runners to register by paying Tk 100 and Tk 20 for locals and $5 for foreigners.
Champions of the full marathon found in the foreign elite category for men and women will bag $15,000.
For the winners from Bangladesh and SAARC countries in the men and women's categories, the prize money is Tk 500,000.
Runners finishing up to fifth place in all categories are eligible for prizes.
