Matters India reporter

Darjeeling — Heeding to the central government call to foster and reinforce the government’s dedication to preserve and strengthen unity, integrity and security of the nation by organising Run for Unity, Salesian College Soanda organised mini Marathon for boys and girls on16th December 2017.

The run which had 22 boys and 16 girls participating was also dedicated to celebrating ’Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel which occured, 31 October.

The Sports Club of Salesian College Sonada organized Run for Unity Mini Marathon as inaugural event of 3-day sports before Christmas break.

The boys’ marathon started off from Jorekhola to Gorabari Salesian College, covering a distance of over 6 kms on Saturday.

“We want to spread the message of Unity, Safety and Security,” said Sports Coordinator Asst Professor Ms Bandana Lama explaining the theme of the run.

Expressing his happiness at seeing crowds lining up NH 55 to cheer the runners, Sports Club President Adesh Gurung said, “Young people and senior citizens cheered the runners.”

Grung added, “It was touching and heart warming to see grandmothers standing on the roadside to cheer lone girl runners as they chugged past.”

The winner among the boys clocked the 6 kilometer distance dodging the morning traffic on Hill Cart Road (NH 55) in just 19 minutes.

The girls’ marathon was for a shorter distance of some four kilometers from Ratomatti to Gorabari.