Ranchi: Around 8,000 people from across the country and abroad took part in the fourth edition of ran-o-thon half marathon here on Sunday. Organised by the department of tourism, arts, culture and youth affairs, in association with Round Table India, the run from Morhabadi grounds till National University of Study and Research in Law in Kanke, was aimed at paying tributes to martyrs of Pulwama terror attack and promote healthy living.The event was held under four categories — 21km and 10km (each for men and women), 5km for participants of all age groups and 21km for foreigners. The winners and runners-up of all the categories were awarded with cash prize.Karan Singh, an Army jawan from Haryana, came first in 21km men’s category, followed by Anish Thapa of Meghalaya in the second position and Rajasthan’s Harishankar Sharma in the third spot. The top three winners were awarded Rs 2 lakh, Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 as cash prize.Dimple Singh (Uttar Pradesh) emerged the winner of the 21km women’s half marathon, followed by Jyoti Singh (also from UP) and Shyamali Singh (Jharkhand’s Seraikela). They, too, were awarded cash prize promised for the top three.Meanwhile, Kenyan long-distance runner Stephen Kosgei and Ethiopian athlete Etsegenet finished first in the foreigner’s men and women’s category and bagged cash prize of Rs 1,00,000 each.“There were some lapses on part of the oranisers to host the half-marathon in Ranchi, but overall it was a great initiative. I hope the organisers get the event affiliated to the world marathon body next year,” Kosgei said.The winners and runners up of 10km men and women’s category received cash prize of Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 each. Sports minister Amar Kumar Bauri, secretary Rahul Sharma and director Anil Kumar felicitated the winners.

Stay updated with all the Latest Ranchi headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.