The Goa Marathon is an annual event, now in its fourth year (as of 2015). In its 2015 edition, organisers said more than 3000 participants ran to help raise funds. The Marathon currently features four races—the 21 kilometre Half Marathon, 10 Kilometre Run, 5 kilometre Dream Run and the School Run for children under 14 and 16 years of age. The 10K Run and the School Run, first started in 2014, are the most popular.
Contents
The run is held in Panjim (Panaji), the state-capital of Goa in India, and is flagged off from the Campal Indoor Complex, on the banks of the River Mandovi. The different runs wend their way through town, and beyond in some cases, starting before dawn.
2014 edition
In 2014, the Kenyans [ dominated the race, with Emmamual Mnaneat Chamer, topping. He clocked 1:07:29 seconds, beating Daniel Chariot Yangon (1:07:46) who finished second and Issac Kipkeroi third (1:09:42). In the women's section, the Ethiopian Seme Mesdireak Bedila outraced Kenya's Eiladyo J Tarus in the 21-km race by a mere two seconds. India's Milan Sachin Rajput who finished third with a timing of 1:22:05.
Winners in 2015
Following are the winners in the 2015 event:
Men's Open 21 km: First: Elija Karanja (Ethiopia); Second: Antony Mugho (Ethiopia); Third: Paul Chirihir (Etthipia); Fourth: Godffrey Mbihia (Ethiopia)
Fastest Indian: Deepak Kumbha; Fastest Goan: Francisco Clement.
Women's Open 21 km: First: Aradhana Reddy (India); Second: Sandra Carvalho (Fastest Goan); Third: Louis Mord (India); Fourth: Shalini Menezes (India); Fifth: Carolin Mulliez (India).
Men's Masters 21 km: First: Muhaumad Idris (India); Second: Pandurang Patil (India); Third: B Bhaganna (India)
Men's Open 10 km; First: Sarvesh S Joshilkar (India, 00:39:02); Second: Abdul Rahim (India, 00:39:49), Rangeen Kumar (00:39:56), Vikram Singh (00:40:00)
Women's Open 10 km: First: Shruti Narayan (India): Second: Hiromi Nishiyama (India)
Men's Master 10 km: First: Uday Mahajan (India); Second: Laxman Yadav (India)
Women's Master 10 km: First: Alexandra Von Moltke (Foreign); Second: Preeti Prabhudesai (India).
School Run: Boys Under 14 -- 3 km: First: Roshan AK (People's High School); Second: Kiran Rathod (Mustifund); Third: Harshdeep Kankonkar (People's).
Girls Under 14 -- 2 km: First: Janavi More; Second: Prajakta Gawas; Third: Karishma Shirvoikar.
Boys Under 16 -- 4 km: First: Baban Shinde; Second: Teddy D Cardozo; Third: Pradyumn Naik. Girls Under 16 -- 3 km: First: Luanna Fernandes; Second: Sania Nadkarni.
Branding
In August 2013, it was reported that the Goa tourism department had "zeroed in" on a brand consultant to build a comprehensive "brand strategy for Goa as a tourist destination". The Goa Marathon was one of the four events chosen for this purpose.