MARGAO
Goa's Harichandra Velip and Sapna Patel claimed first place in the recently concluded 2nd Edition of the Mountain Run organised by Kreeda Bharati Goa in association with the Goa Athletics Association. The event featured a challenging 15.5 km route from Navadurga Temple to Siddhanath Temple, reaching a height of 1,250 feet, and back.
The competition included four categories: Individual Men from Goa and the Konkan Region, Individual Women from Goa and the Konkan Region combined, and a Team Championship for the Konkan Region. A total of 59 men and 18 women participated in this year’s event, which began with a flag-off at 6.30 am by Jayawant GH, General Secretary of PCI, and Ramsagar Pande, Sports Director of RADAV College, Mumbai.
Narendra Sawaikar, President of the Goa Athletics Association and former Member of Parliament, served as the Chief Guest, while Jayesh Naik, Sarpanch of Borim Panchayat, was the Guest of Honour.
This year’s edition was dedicated to the late Paresh Kamat, a distinguished athlete and sports administrator in Goa. Anu Modak, Secretary of Kreeda Bharati Goa, reflected on Kamat’s significant contributions to athletics, stating that he had advocated for establishing the Mountain Run as a permanent event.
A notable participant this year was 58-year-old Vithal Kamble from Mumbai, who celebrated his birthday by taking part in the run while sporting body paint and carrying the tricolour. This marked his 451st run.
The event was meticulously monitored by Ashu Korde and his team of volunteers, while Santosh Prabhu Dessai concluded the day with a vote of thanks. Kunal Borkar compered the programme.
PRIZES: Individual Men (Goa Region): 1. Harichandra Velip – 51:18 min, 2. Suraj Velip – 54:34 min, 3. Narayan Nand Giri – 55:33 min; Individual Men (Konkan Region): 1. Omkar Baikar – 49:55 min, 2. Hariom Mourya – 52:51 min, 3. Karan Diwakar – 52:29 min; Individual Women (Goa & Konkan Region Combined): 1. Sapna Patel – 1:03 hr, 2. Sujata Mundekar – 1:09 hr, 3. Rohini Kharivale – 1:15 hr, 4. Ankita Pol – 1:16 hr, 5. Harshita Mane – 1:17 hr; Team Championship (Konkan Region): 1. Team Ratnagiri (Hariom Singh, Karan Diwakar, Ankita Pol, Sujata Mundekar) – 1:03 hr, 2. Team Thane A (Prathamesh Dhone, Jay Jadhav, Harshita Mane, Rushikala Pal) – 1:12 hr, 3. Team Thane B (Suyash Chavan, Ritesh Paste, Shreya Patole, Rohini Kharivale) – 1:14 hr.
