Vizag Navy Marathon 2023: 8th Edition and Categories of Marathon

The Eastern Naval Command hosted the 8th edition of the Vizag Navy Marathon on November 5th at RK Beach Road in Visakhapatnam City in Andhra Pradesh, with over 12,000 people registering for the huge event. In many categories, children, youth, older citizens, and navy personnel from all across India and overseas participated in large numbers. A significant number of locals, students, and volunteers, in addition to participants, queued up extremely early in the morning to support runners all along the gorgeous beach course. 

Vizag Navy Full Marathon

• The Full Marathon, with over 500 competitors, was marked off by Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Naval Command. 
• Vice Adm G Srinivasan, DGNP Vizag, kicked off the Half Marathon, which had over 1600 racers. 
• At VMRDA Park, there was a vibrant celebration as runners and followers attended the prize distribution. 
• The Chief Guest for the occasion was the FOCinC, ENC.

8th Edition of the Vizag Navy Marathon

• The 8th edition of the Vizag Navy Marathon was an annual running event organised by the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. 
• The Vizag Navy Marathon has a national and international reputation since it was accredited by the Association of International Marathons (AIMS), making it an internationally recognised and professionally organised event.
• The eighth edition of the Vizag Navy Marathon was set to take place on Sunday (November 5), in the city of destiny. 
• The marathon races began at The Park Hotel Circle at RK Beach, went to the Naval Coastal Battery, and then made a U-turn near the Kali Mata temple in RK Beach. 

Categories of Marathon

The event was divided into four categories: full marathon (42.2 kilometres), half marathon (21.1 kilometres), 10 km run, and 5 km run. 

5K Runners

• The 5 km race attracted over 7000 participants and was marked off by Vice Adm Sameer Saxena, Chief of Staff, ENC.
• The 5K race concluded in MGM Park, VMRDA. Other category runners continued along the scenic seaside path reaching INS Kalinga. 

10K Runners

• The 10K runners turned around near Tenneti Park, while the half marathoners turned around near Gayatri College in Rushikonda. 
• Commissioner of Police Dr. Ravishankar marked the start of the over 2700 participants in the 10 km run. 

Full Marathon 

• The full marathon runners took a U-turn around Cheppala Uppada, which was close to INS Kalinga. MGM Park will serve as the finish line for all races. 
• Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, led the 42-kilometre race.

Men’s Open category

• In the Men's Open section, Sikandar Tadakhe (2h 30 min), Deepak Kumbhar (1h 06 min), and Sonu Kushwa (31 min) won the Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10 Km races, respectively. 

Women’s Open category

• In the Women's division, Aasa TP (3h 08 min), Lilian Rutto (1h 24 min), and Lanka Mery Grace (44 min) won the Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10 KM races, respectively. 

India Navy Contribution

• The Indian Navy extends heartfelt gratitude to the city and people of Vizag, the district government, city and traffic police, all participants, volunteers, distinguished visitors, and sponsors for ensuring the event's success. 
• Senior Naval Officers, the District Collector, Dr. Mallikarjuna, and other distinguished guests presented the prizes.