9,000 Runners Participate in Kharghar Hill Mayor Marathon in Panvel
Around 9,000 runners from across Maharashtra took part in the Kharghar Hill Mayor Marathon, organised by the Panvel Municipal Corporation at Central Park in Kharghar on Sunday. Billed as the country’s first full-distance 42-km hill marathon, the event witnessed participation across various age groups.
The race was flagged off at 4:30 am at Central Park in the presence of Panvel Mayor Nitin Patil, MLA Prashant Thakur, chief promoter Paresh Thakur, Raigad District Collector Kishan Javali, IPS officer Krishna Prakash, CIDCO Joint Managing Director Ganesh Deshmukh, PMC Commissioner Mangesh Chitale, House Leader Prakash Binedar, Deputy Mayor Pramila Patil, and actor Ankush Chaudhari.
The marathon featured five race categories: the 42-km full marathon, the 21-km half marathon, 10-km and 5-km runs, and a 3-km fun run. The event received certification from the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). Civic officials noted that the international recognition is expected to help attract domestic and international athletes in the future and establish Panvel as a destination for endurance sports.
A dedicated run was held for persons with disabilities following an initiative by Mayor Nitin Patil and House Leader Prakash Binedar. Around 100 participants joined the special run, designed to encourage inclusion in mainstream sports. In addition, nine visually impaired runners completed the 21-km half marathon.
Several senior government and police officials also joined the races, including Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde, former commissioner Sudhakar Deshmukh, Thane Assistant Commissioner of Police Adinath Budhavar, Deputy Collector Rahul Suryawanshi, Thane Deputy Commissioner of Police Shailesh Kale, and officials from MMRDA. Students and teachers from schools and colleges across the Panvel municipal area also took part.
The civic body arranged medical support along the routes, deploying doctors, physiotherapists, and ambulances. The 42-km route covered Central Park, Gram Vikas Bhavan, Murbhi Junction, Utsav Chowk, Belpada Metro Station, RBI Colony Metro Station, Chafewadi, Fansawadi, Golf Course Road, Gurudwara, Ranjanpada, Kharghar Football Stadium, Taloja Jail Road, and Tata Memorial Centre before returning to Central Park. The shorter routes passed through designated sectors around Central Park and Kharghar.
According to PMC, the marathon was organised to encourage a running culture, healthier lifestyles, and sports participation, while offering runners from rural and semi-urban areas access to a national-level event locally.
