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Pune International Marathon | |
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Date | Early December |
Location | Pune, India |
Event type | Road running |
Distance | Marathon |
Established | 1983 |
Course records | Men: 2:12:18 (2012Jan) Hosea Rutto Women: 2:38:41 (2010) Birzah Tekele |
Official site | Pune International Marathon |
The Pune International Marathon is an annual marathon foot-race held in Pune, India. The first edition of the race was held on September 25, 1983, and the 36th edition will be held in December 2022. It attracts many international participants, who compete with local and national runners in the distinct climate of the Indian subcontinent. It hosted the Asian Marathon Championship race in 2010.[1]
The event also organizes a short celebrity run in which film personalities and national athletes participate and raise money for charitable causes.
In its 21st edition, held in 2006, the event attracted over 50,000 runners from India and around the world. Corporate participants also helped in the battle against HIV/AIDS by participating in the 4.5 km charity race. All the money collected from this race was donated to Project Concern International, an NGO working towards HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in Pune.
The twenty-fifth edition of the event was held in 2010. The organizers introduced two new categories - Women's Full Marathon and Men's Half Marathon.
Since 1983, thousands of runners from all walks of life have taken part in the event. The Pune International Marathon is now widely used as a platform to spread social messages and raise funds for charitable causes. The Athletics Federation of India has awarded the status of 'National Marathon Championship' to the Pune International Marathon. The marathon route consists of Pune's scenic and historic locations with thousands of spectators lining up along the course to cheer the participants. It is the most anticipated running festival in the city of Pune[citation needed].