Rohit Saroj from UP wins Kumam Nipamacha Men’s Open Half Marathon

Our Correspondent
Moirang, Jul 20 : Rohit Saroj of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh has clinched the title of the 1st Kumam Nipamacha Singh Memorial Men’s Open Half Marathon.
Rohit Saroj ran 1:04:23 (1 hour four minutes and 23 seconds) to secure the top honour of the half marathon organised in memory of the international veteran athlete Kumam Nipamacha Singh with the theme “Run for Sports Legacy”.
The run that was flagged off from Moirang Kangla and covered Moirang Kumbi road, Moirang Thangjing road, Kokilbon, Thoya, Moirangkhunou, Sangai Ethnic Park, Kwakta, Tiddim Road, Terakhongshangbi, Tronglaobi, Moirang Lamkhai before culminating at Moirang Kangla, was organised by the  KN Singh Athletics Academy Moirang and Kumam Youth Club, Moirang under the aegis of the Athletics Association of Manipur
As many as 122 runners from Manipur and other States participated in the distance run that saw Rojit Saroj deservingly walk away with the winner’s prize of Rs 50,000.
Md Abdul Razak from Sora meanwhile settled for the second place prize of Rs 30,000 as he completed the course in 1 hour 4 minutes and 59 seconds. Another runner from Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur, Kamal Kumar finished third in the run with a time of 1:6:04 (1 hour 6 minutes and 4 seconds) to pocket a cash prize of Rs 20,000.
Other athletes who made it upto top 10 positions were also feted with consolation prizes worth Rs 2,000 each along with certificates.
The prize distribution ceremony was held at INA Memorial Hall in the presence of Moirang AC MLA, Thongam Shanti as chief guest; ex-MLA P Sharatchandra as functional president and ex-MLA M Prithiviraj as guest of honour.