‘Run-or-chase’ has always been a common feature in the wild in all encounters – accidental or planned – between tiger and man, generally in quest or self defence or protection of wildlife and conservation of nature.
Alwar, a historic city, the abode to Sariska tiger reserve, on Sunday witnessed a mammoth race – The Alwar Tiger Half Marathon International Run’. However, it was not a run & chase affair, neither between predator and the prey nor between wildlife and its enthusiasts or conservationists or self defence or prey hunt. The runners – professionals, conservationists, fitness enthusiasts, locals, both young and old, ran not to escape chasing tigers, but for the fun of it and protection of the big cats.
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Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma flagged off the 21-km half marathon – a unique event envisioned by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Wildlife Bhupendra Yadav. Yadav combined his task of evoking mass awareness on conservation of nature and wildlife with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mission ‘Fit India’.
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Besides Sharma and Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, state Forests Minister Sanjay Sharma, event’s brand ambassador Randeep Hooda and a galaxy of dignitaries were present at the flagging-off ceremony that took place at 06:00am. More than 18,000 participants from eight countries ran for the cause of tiger, the nature, and for their own fitness.
The event comprised multiple race categories, including 21 km, 10 km, and 5 km run for different classes of participants including specially abled runners.
Yadav’s leadership and commitment to conservation shaped the ethos of the marathon, transforming a sporting event into a meaningful national movement.
The Union Minister puts it this way: “Alwar Tiger Marathon is a flagship community initiative combining fitness and environmental awareness, organised to support and draw inspiration from the Sariska tiger reserve, the only tiger sanctuary in the Delhi-NCR region”.
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