Maharashtrians run for health

Thane, July 13 (ANI): Hundreds of enthusiasts, including physically challenged, participated in a marathon today which was organised for spreading health awareness in Maharashtra.

Sponsored by Marathon Trust of Thane District, the marathon had separate categories for children, girls, senior citizens and physically challenged people.

Different distances were allocated for different categories. Children ran for a distance of 3 kilometres, girls for 7 kilometres, senior citizens for 42 kilometres while physically challenged ran for one kilometre.

Despite being on wheelchair, there was no dearth of enthusiasm among the specially challenged who participated in the marathon.

"This is the first time we are participating in this marathon. We will try and enjoy it to the fullest, despite being told on a short notice and I am sure that next year onwards there will be more people like us, who will be participating in this marathon," said Prakash Tiwari, a physically challenged participant.

A total of two hundred fifty thousand rupees was allocated for the prize money in the marathon.

According to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), heart disease and stroke can kill more people globally while infectious diseases like diarrhoea, HIV, tuberculosis, neonatal infections and malaria will be less of a concern in coming 20 years.

With stress taking on urban India, the people are becoming prone to lifestyle diseases. (ANI)