Chandigarh, Jan 31 (ANI): Former Olympian Milkha Singh, who is popularly known as the ‘flying Sikh’, flagged off the first marathon run here today.

More than 4500 runners participated in the marathon, which comprised three different categories–42 km full marathon, 21 km half marathon and 5 km ‘Run for Fun’.The full marathon kicked off at 6:30 a.m. from the city’s major tourist attraction, the Rock Garden.

The event is titled ‘Chandigarh-Running and Living Marathon’ with the aim of providing a platform to youngsters and the elders alike, to run for a good health. The run also helped in promoting tourism in Chandigarh.

“Chandigarh has produced many national and internationally renowned sportspersons, who have not only raised Chandigarh’s name globally, but also made India proud as well. This event will also help in promoting the city worldwide,” said Milkha Singh.Fourteen renowned international marathon-runners from countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, Poland and USA participated in the event.

The oldest runner competing in this marathon was 77-year-old cardiologist from Delhi, Ashish Roy, who ran his record 101st marathon.

Chandigarh’s Adviser to the Administrator, Pradip Mehra, flagged off the 5 Km run for fun at 9.30 a.m. with renowned celebrities like Poonam Dhillon and Jaspal Bhatti.

“This event has created an amazing spirit of oneness between the city people. It is a very motivational and culturally a good exercise. Everyone has become health conscience today and it is a good thing that the administration has taken upon themselves to organize such an event,” said Dhillon. (ANI)