Vadodara Int Half Marathon gets overwhelming response

The Vadodara International Half Marathon (VIHM) today got an enthusiastic response with over 70,000 people taking part in it.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, who flagged off this sporting event here, said her government is committed to promote sports.
Over 80 foreign athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia and United Kingdom also participated. The major attraction for the VIHM were cricket players Irfan Pathan, his brother Yusuf and latest T20 star Hardik Pandya.
VIHM was organised as a part the "Khel Mahakhumb".
"The 'Khel Mahakhumb' was started a couple of years back by then Gujarat Chief Minister and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"It is a major sporting event of the state wherein over 40 lakh youth have been taking part in different 27 sports events being held at taluka, district and zonal level," Patel said.

According to the Chief Minister, such sporting events develop sportsman spirit among the citizens.
"I am happy that more and more cities and towns are organising such events (like VIHM) The government wants more people to join sports which benefit health," she added.
The VIHM was held in different categories like 21.1 km half marathon, 21.1 km relay run, 15 km run, 5 km 'Swatchhata run' and 'Divyang run' for physically-challenged and a 'torchbearers' run with the theme "My city My Marathon".