Baljinder from Gurdaspur won Keylong half-marathon in men category of 21-km open, whereas Rita Kumari from Hamirpur registered win in women category. In the Keylong half-marathon (10,000 ft), which is considered as one of the world’s highest marathons, as many as 261 runners, including 52 professionals, most of them from Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and the Army participated. 60 girls also participated in the event.
The district administration organised the marathon to harness the inherent local talent of Lahaul-Spiti. Prashant Sirckek, SDM, Keylong, the brain behind the marathon, said that they had invited professionals to promote long-distance races among budding youngsters of the cold desert.
Lahaul-Spiti MLA Ravi Thakur distributed the prize among the winners and vowed to promote marathon in the near future. Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul-Spiti and Superintendent of Police, were also present on the occasion.
