Himachal Pradesh News
Kangra Carnival 2025 : Dharamsala Marathon Adds Sporting Spark to Day 2 of Kangra Carnival
The Dharamsala Marathon marked the second day of the Kangra Carnival, with Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri flagging off races across multiple categories amid strong participation from athletes in India and abroad.
The second day of the Kangra Carnival began on a high-energy note on Thursday as Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri flagged off the much-anticipated Dharamsala Marathon in the early hours of the day.
Praising the efforts of the district administration and the Dharamsala Municipal Corporation, the Deputy Chief Minister said such mega sporting events have the potential to evolve into signature attractions for Dharamsala in the years ahead.
Speaking to The Diarytimes, he expressed confidence that with its strong sports infrastructure and scenic setting against the backdrop of the Dhauladhar range, Dharamsala could emerge as one of the most sought-after tourism destinations, driven by events of this scale.
The marathon witnessed enthusiastic participation from large groups of runners, including youth and middle-aged athletes from Dharamsala and neighbouring districts. Races were organised in multiple categories, including 42 km, 21 km, 10 km, 5 km and 1 km.
Boys and girls wearing striking red T-shirts ran along one of the region’s most picturesque routes, blending sporting spirit with Dharamsala’s natural beauty. The route started from the SAI synthetic track near the cricket ground and passed through the War Memorial, Chilgari, Kotwali Bazaar, Kand, Rakkar and Dari, before concluding at the starting point.
At the closing ceremony held in the afternoon, Deputy Commissioner Kangra Hemraj Bairwa distributed prizes. Prize money worth over ₹15 lakh across various categories added to the excitement, drawing athletes not only from different parts of the country but also from abroad.
In the Open Men’s Full Marathon, Tsegaye secured first place, followed by Manjeet Singh in second and Arjun Pradhan in third. In the Open Women’s Full Marathon, Arpita Saini claimed first position, Firehiwot finished second and Tenzin Dolma took third place.
In the 35–44 years Men’s category, Akash Kumar emerged first, Bir Bahadur Rai was second and Sandeep Kumar third. In the 35–44 years Women’s category, Seema secured first place, followed by Deepti Rani in second and Mukesh Kumari in third.
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