10,000 run in Bangalore midnight marathon

Around 10,000 men and women participated in the "Bhaag Bengaluru Bhaag" marathon held from Saturday midnight into the early hours of Sunday in the city's upscale eastern suburb of Whitefield.

Organised by Rotary Bangalore IT corridor and sponsored by the State Bank of India, the event's seventh edition witnessed about 1,500 participants in the full marathon (42 km) and 1,200 in the half marathon (21 km).

Kenyan-born Danile Yegon and Gladys Jepkechei won the full marathon in the men's and women's open categories respectively.

Indian-born Tripurari Singh of Bangalore and Sudhamani from Chennai were first in the Indian categories.

Yegon, who had also won the 2012 full marathon, set a new record with a timing of 2 hours, 11 minutes, while Ethiopian Ebesa Merga Ejgu came second in 2 hours, 15 minutes.

"This is my second full marathon in Bangalore. I think the cool weather and the timing make it more relaxing and easier to run. I hope to keep participating in this wonderful event year after year," Yegon told reporters later.

Besides athletes and professional runners from India and 17 other countries, hundreds of young and old from the armed forces, IT firms, corporates and colleges participated in the marathon, 5-km IT city fun run and community relay amidst drumbeats and loud cheers.

The event is held every year to raise funds for the Rotary's social projects in environment, health, community and vocational services.

In the half marathon, Kenyan David Kiprotich came first in 1 hour 8 minutes, followed by Ethiopian Fikresedassie Haile in the men's open category, while Santhosh from Bangalore was first in the Indian category with a timing of 1 hour 11 minutes.

In the women's half marathon, Shilpi Sahu and N. Divya came first and second in the Indian category.

For 64-year-old barefoot runner K. Manjunath, running marathons helps him stay fit even in old age.

"This is my sixth midnight marathon and every year it gets better. It's well organised and I love running at midnight. I have been running five km daily for the past 15 years and plan to continue as long as I can," Manjunath said.