PANAJI: Vasco Sports Club on Wednesday, announced the 11th edition of one of India’s most popular runs – Goa River Marathon with India’s leading bearings manufacturer SKF India Ltd being the title sponsors. The SKF Goa River Marathon will be held on 12 December 2021 with the registrations beginning on September 2. Visit www.skfgoarivermarathon.com for details.
The event will start and finish at the Chicalim Panchayat Ground with three competitive categories – 42km, 21km and 10km races in the mix. A promotional run in 10km and 21km will be held shortly to create awareness for the iconic GRM.
Nitin Bandekar, President of Vasco SC, said: “Keeping in mind the safety of all participants, only limited numbers will run for the ‘SKF Goa River Marathon’. Athletes will be admitted on a first-come-first-served basis on furnishing the hundred per cent vaccination certificate during their online registration. We will follow the highest level of safety-standards for all participants and abide by all mandatory government protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).”
“Refund policy will also be provided in relation to the (COVID) situation,” he stated in response to a query during the press conference.
Manish Bhatnagar, Managing Director of SKF India Ltd, said: “Today, ‘SKF Goa River Marathon’ is one of the most popular marathons in the country and we will extend our full support to this event. With India slowly recovering from the Covid impact, hosting the ‘SKF Goa River Marathon’ is good news for runners. We are excited to partner with Vasco Sports Club as this is an opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate the joy of running and the power of human spirit.”
Ahead of the main event, the ‘SKF Goa River Marathon’ will also organise pre-event runs in various parts of Goa accompanied by special ‘How-to’ workshops aimed at helping both the novice and the experts to gear up for the marathon.
Rakesh Unny, Secretary of Vasco SC, said: “The ‘SKF Goa River Marathon’ is considered amongst the toughest marathon courses in India and showcases Goa’s natural beauty and pollution-free scenery and this time we are aiming for a green event with zero use of plastic. Eighty per cent of the course passes along the river Zuari on one side and lush green hills on the other side, allowing marathoners a shaded route for most of the race.”
