Only 500 turn out for the first Navi Mumbai Marathon

Inadequate promotional activities, last minute announcement of the event ensures dismal turnout

Thanks to the lack of adequate promotional activities undertaken to promote the event, the first-ever Navi Mumbai marathon organised by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) yesterday turned out to be damp squib. With the civic body announcing the event just nine days prior to its commencement, hardly 500 contestants registered for the event.


Running to the victory pole: In men's group Harshad Mhatre of Vasai
came first by completing the 15-km course in 47.16 minutes, while Vashi's
Pooja Vanmore topped the women's category in the 10-km run.
Pics/Sameer Markande

Taking a serious note of the low turnout, Sandeep Naik, MLA from Airoli, said, "It can be seen as a very proud moment for us as the NMMC has started the marathon in the city, but the participation wasn't as expected. It appears that it felt short of spreading the message effectively. However, we expect more people to participate from next year."

Sagar Naik, mayor of Navi Mumbai, said that the corporation would take all measures to make the event flawless from the next year.

"It was the first year of our marathon and we got very little time for its promotion. Hence we fell short of contestants. However, we will take necessary measures to make the event grand from the next year."

"It was difficult to prepare for the Marathon on such a short notice. Since I have been practising regularly for the last few years, I could win the race in my group easily," said one of the winners, requesting anonymity.