SPORTS

Marathon Hits Suva

Record holder here to encourage long distance running   Over 100 participants braved the rain to participate in the Suva 10 kilometres run last Sunday, says Suva Marathon Club president
07 Nov 2017 10:49
Marathon Hits Suva
Fiji’s marathon record holder Binesh Prasad hands out prizes to the 10km Suva Run winners at Albert Park, Suva on November 5, 2017. Photo: Suva Marathon Club.

Record holder here to encourage long distance running

 

Over 100 participants braved the rain to participate in the Suva 10 kilometres run last Sunday, says Suva Marathon Club president Sandeep Narayan.

The highlight of the event was the presence of the country’s full marathon and half marathon record holder Binesh Prasad who started off the race and handed prizes to the winners.

Prasad was a well-known runner during his peak when he broke the national half marathon record in 1993 setting a new benchmark of 1:07:57. Earlier in 1989, he had set the full marathon record time of 2:23:33.

Narayan said both records still stand today.

“I’m pleased to see the efforts of the Suva Marathon Club in reviving long-distance running in the country,” Prasad who is now based in Colorado, USA said.

“During my time, we had a host of good long-distance runners from all over the country. We used to meet often and train together, challenging each other to do better and that is how we progressed.

“It was rather saddening to see that in the last 20 years or so, Fiji had not produced another record-breaking long-distance runner. However, with the remarkable efforts of the Suva Marathon Club, we should see some good runners coming through soon”.

Narayan thanked all those who participated and supported in putting the event together.

“This event is part of our ongoing events throughout the year. We have the weekly time trials on Thursdays starting from the Suva Bowling Club, the first Saturday of each month run, the two build-up events being the 10km Suva Challenge in April and November, and then the main event, the Suva Marathon, in July each year.

“The 10km Suva Run we had today works as a build-up event to our premier event in July and also helps runners stay in shape, keep track of their progress or start to participate in long-distance running.”

The club thanked its partners and friends Ernest and Young, Fulton Hogan Highway, Suva City Council, Fiji Roads Authority and the media for their continued support.

Narayan urged everyone to stay in touch with the club’s activities through their website- www.suvamarathon.org and their Facebook page.

 Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Feedback:  grace.narayan@fijisun.com.fj

 

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