More than 8000 people participates in the 5th Edition of the Bengaluru International Midnight Marathon 2011

Company Brief

Bengaluru, December 11, 2011

Saturday night was an explosion of lights, music, energy and entertainment at KTPO, Whitefield, Bengaluru as thousands of people-young, old and children stepped out in large numbers to participate in the Bengaluru International Midnight Marathon 2011. The Midnight Marathon with the theme of “Run For a child” attracted over 8000 people this year including over 18 international athletes from Ethiopia, Kenya amongst others. The Bengaluru International Midnight Marathon is in its fifth edition and is conducted by Rotary Bangalore IT Corridor as the main fund-raiser event for RBITC’s social service projects relating to environment, health, community and vocational services in and around Whitefield. This was the first time that the event was being held at KTPO, Whitefield to accommodate the increasing participation at the Midnight Marathon.

As expected, the fleet-footed Ethiopians took the lion’s share in the men’s full and half marathon events and even the newly introduced 10k run. In the closely-fought men’s full marathon of 42.195 kms, Yeshewa Abate of Ethiopia pipped fellow-countryman Alemayehu Negash to the first place with a timing of 2 hours 28 minutes and 28 seconds. Abet was a close second with a timing of 2.28.29 followed by Addisu Feyesa from Ethiopia again at 2 hours 31 minutes.

In the half marathon of 21 kms, that had a field of over 750 runners, Yared Admasu of Ethiopia came first followed by Getahun Tilahun and Telfaye Biratu in the third place, also from Ethiopia. The first Indian to win the half marathon was Umesh Gowda who is from Karnataka.

The Ethiopian women too led the Full Marathon with Rhale Worku coming in at first with a timing of 3 hours 2 minutes and Betuca Bereca coming in at the 2nd place at 3 hours 11 minutes and Almaz Cherkose coming in at 3rd place with a timing of 3 hours 20 minutes.

The half marathon in the women’s category was won by Abeyo Teshetu with a timing of 1 hour 17 minutes and Mulunesh Belema in the 2nd place with a timing of 1 hour 19 minutes, both from Ethiopia. The third place went to Helen Millson from US (based in Bangalore).

The MD of Goldman Sacchs, Vaishali Kasture was the first Indian woman to complete the half marathon.

The “Run for a Child” themed midnight marathon focused on raising funds for the poor and needy children is one of its kind in the world and is the only marathon that runs in the middle of the night in India. Apart from the races, the BIMM 2011 venue with lit up with live performances by musicians, dancers and bands to entertain the participants.

Earlier in the day, the evening began with the traditional Punjabi Dhol performances, rock performances by the band “One Night Stand” and other festivities. The first race, the Community Relay was flagged off at 7 pm which included races for children amongst others. This was followed by the hugely popular IT City Fun Run which saw a participation of over 4000 people across all age groups. Kannada Actor Vijay Raghavendra were amongst the key VIPs who flagged off the various races.

Then it was time for the 10k run which was newly introduced this year due to public demand and saw a participation of over 1000 people. The mens 10k run was won by Endale Abayneh followed by Tibebu Wolatmariam in the 2nd place and Ibrahim Seid in the 3rd place.

The women’s category saw Meserte Zerebe taking the 1st place in the 10k run followed by Woertn in the 2nd place and Shoko Nakamura in the 3rd place.

The Half Marathon and Full Marathon were flagged off sharp at 12 midnight by the RBITC team. This was followed by the Women’s Relay at 12.15 am and 8-member Corporate Relay at 12.30 am.

The key partners associated with the event-included Manipal Hospital providing medical assistance at the event, GE sponsoring the 10k run, Adecco sponsoring the IT City Fun Race amongst others.

Ms. Beth Chapnan, President of Overseas Women’s Club shared her experience and said, “I have been in Bangalore since the last 2 years. Rotary Bangalore IT Corridor has taken a great initiative in organizing such an event for such a noble cause of helping the underprivileged kids. It gives me immense pleasure to be a part of this. I ran for Adecco IT City run, not to win any prize but just wanted to run for those kids. Its my way of expressing support for the cause.”

This is the 5th year that BIMM was conducted here as the main fund raiser event for RBITC’s social service projects relating to environment, health, community and vocational services. RBITC will use the net proceeds for projects in the sectors of health, education and for addressing various other social issues.

Funds generated from the previous BIMM’s have gone towards the Rotary club’s own flagship “Green Dream” project of planting 1 lakh trees in Whitefield. In addition, funds have been utilized in providing free spinal and eye surgeries for the needy, toilets, classrooms and mid-day meals in schools, scholarships for deserving youth, vocational training sponsorships, a bus for transporting eye-care patients from rural areas and an ambulance in Whitefield, among a host of other similar activities according to Mrs. Sheila Premkumar, President of RBITC.

Mr. Bhaskar Sharma, renowned marathon runner, congratulated RBITC for not only organizing the world’s first midnight marathon in Bangalore but also for continuing to do it successfully year after year. Distance running as a sport for keeping fit had caught on well in the city, especially with its growing population of young achievers and professionals.

Medals and certificates were given to all participants in all categories.

More on the race on www.midnightmarathon.in

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