Grand Stage set for the Maharashtra Police International Marathon

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai: 17,000 plus amateur runners and 50+ Indian and International elite athletes will line up at the Gateway of India and Rajiv Gandhi Sea-Link for the inaugural edition of the Maharashtra Police International Marathon 2020 on Sunday, February 9. This is a one of its kind initiative that is organized directly by the State Police and offers prize money of ₹73, 46,000 across categories.

The Full Marathon for the international elite men and women will be flagged off from Gateway of India, Colaba at 5.00 AM, while the amateurs and Indian elites will be flagged off at 5:10 AM. The Half Marathon and 10 miler will be flagged off from the Toll Plaza, Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, Bandra at 5.00 AM and 5.40 AM respectively. The 5 KM run will be flagged off at 8:00 AM from the Gateway of India, Colaba. The holding area gates will open at 4:00 am.

Western Railway has announced a special train which starts at 2:30 from Virar and reaches Dadar by 3:45. Central Railway will also run 2 special trains, one from Kalyan at 2:30, which will reach CST at 4:00 am and another one on the Harbour line starting from Panvel at 2:30 and reaching CST at 3:50 The marathon carriageway will be closed for vehicular traffic between 4:00 am to 1:00 pm and the police will put up no parking boards throughout the route and direct traffic through alternate routes to avoid inconvenience to the general public.

40,000 litres of water will be distributed through a total of 20 stations and Fast&Up will be available at eight energy drink stations. There will also be five Orange stations on the course. 35 Chemical toilets at Gateway of India, 15 on Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link and 24 toilets throughout the course have been arranged for the convenience of the participants.  A Medical Base Camp will be set up at the finish point of all the timed races. There will also be eight medical stations along the route manned by Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation under the guidance of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine expert Dr Ashish Contractor. All participants will receive a backpack along with their running bibs, while they will receive Masti Chaas, flavoured milk and a sports towel along with a Finisher’s Medals and refreshments post the race at the Gateway of India. 

The MPIM is being conducted under the aegis of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), while the route has been certified by official course measures from AIMS and AFI. Officials from all over the state, coordinated by AFI, will be responsible for the technical conduct of the event.