Manipal: Eight runners from Kenya and six from Sri Lanka are among over 7,000 registered for the Manipal Marathon to be held on Sunday. The half-marathon, a 21-kilometre race, is also likely to see the participation of a few runners from Ethiopia.“The number of participants is expected to go up to 10,000 in the marathon, being jointly organised by Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Udupi District Athletic Association,” said Dr Vinod Nayak, sports secretary, Manipal academy. The theme for the marathon is ‘mental health awareness,’ he said.“We have entries from all over the country and a large number of students from Manipal academy will also participate,” he said.Commander Abhilash Tomy of the Navy, the only Asian to have participated in the Golden Globe Race 2018, will attend the event.“The route has been finalised and all water stations identified. From Manipal, the runners will get on to Perampalli Road and then to Ambagilu and the national highway. They will run all the way up to Karavali bypass, then turn to Bananje Road and then reach Big Bazaar via SP office and Kinimulki. The runners will take the KM Marg and go past Kidiyoor Hotel and finally move to Kalsanka and return to Manipal,” Dr Nayak said.“The race will be flagged off at 6 am from the university building by ICICI south head, Viral Rupani,” he said. Three other races, 10-km, 5-km and 3-km, will also be flagged off from the same place at a gap of 15-minute each, he added.Like in the past, Volunteer Services Organization will set up stalls and joy-rides at KMC Greens. In addition, there will also be ‘laughter yoga’ for health and happiness by laughter guru, Dr Madan Kataria, VSO coordinator Dr Anup Naha said.

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