Over 1 crore expected to take part in 'Run Kerala Run'

Billed as one of the biggest mass runs ever held in the country, over one crore people including cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, are expected to participate in 'Run Kerala Run', held as a prelude to the 35th National Games across the state tomorrow.
The run is organised to express the state's unity and solidarity with the January 31-February 14 National Games, being hosted by Kerala after a gap of 27 years.
An array of prominent personalities led by Governor Justice P Sathasivam, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Tendulkar, the Goodwill Ambassador of the Games, will take part in the run at the official starting point in front of state Secretariate here.

The Governor would flag off the event by 10.30 am and Tendulkar would run along with Chandy and other ministers, MLAs and socio-cultural personalities and matinee idols, state Sports Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told a press meet today.
According to Radhakrishnan, the event is expected to set a new world record in the category of mass run as the existing record was the one participated by over 39,000 people.
"The event is going to set history. Over one crore people are expected to participate in it across the state. We hope it will set a new world record as the existing record is the one participated by over 39,000 people," he said.

Similar runs would be held in over 10,000 centres across the state simultaneously, he said.
"As many as 21 mega run points, 226 mini mega run points, and thousands of ordinary points are arranged for the event. The main objective of the run is to express the state's unity and solidarity to the Games," he said.