Koraput: Where these is a will there is a way. This saying was proved true by three minors who defied age to run 40 kilometres in searing heat as part of a marathon event, recently. The three kids ran from this town to Damanjodi in approximately three hours and their efforts were applauded by all and sundry. Siblings Yamuna Bahadur (11), Tapasya Bahadur(7), and Hari Bahadur (10) completed the distance by the dint of sheer willpower and perseverence. The two daughters and son of Jeetendra Bahadur, a resident of this city, have always been fascinated by long-distance running.
The trio began the marathon Sunday from the district SP office under the supervision of coach Ramachandra Jena. Koraput Municipality chairman Lalat Ranjan Sethi provided words of encouragement to the kids ahead of the start of the event. During the run which started on the Koraput-Vishakhapatnam national highway (NH-26), the kids passed through Dumuriput chowk, Ghataguda chowk, and Sunabeda chowk. There were a large number of spectators on both sides of the road encouraging the three kids. The trio and their coach were later felicitated by the president and members of the municipality gymnasium after they returned here. They were presented with trophies and certificates.
Notably, the same three kids were in the limelight last year, when they ran a distance of 22 kilometres from Jeypore to Borriguma to promote the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup tournament which was hosted by Odisha. Officials of the district administration had then also lauded the efforts of Yamuna, Tapasya, and Hari. The kids were initially trained by dad Jitendra who recognised their talent in distance running. Coach Jena then took it upon himself voluntarily to train the three. Yamuna stated that running is her passion and she does so as she believes that ‘to keep the body fit, we need to run’.
Locals pointed out Tuesday that the trio decided to run 40 kilometres to celebrate Hari’s birthday, Sunday.
Koraput: Where these are a will there is a way. This saying was proved true by three minors who defied age to run 40 kilometres in searing heat as part of a marathon event, recently. The three kids ran from this town to Damanjodi in approximately three hours and their efforts were applauded by all and sundry. Siblings Yamuna Bahadur (11), Tapasya Bahadur(7), and Hari Bahadur (10) completed the distance by the dint of sheer willpower and perseverence. The two daughters and son of Jeetendra Bahadur, a resident of this city, have always been fascinated by long-distance running.
The trio began the marathon Sunday from the district SP office under the supervision of coach Ramachandra Jena. Koraput Municipality chairman Lalat Ranjan Sethi provided words of encouragement to the kids ahead of the start of the event. During the run which started on the Koraput-Vishakhapatnam national highway (NH-26), the kids passed through Dumuriput chowk, Ghataguda chowk and Sunabeda chowk. There were a large number of spectators on both sides of the road encouraging the three kids. The trio and their coach were later felicitated by the president and members of the municipality gymnasium after they returned here. They were presented with trophies and certificates.
Notably, the same three kids were in the limelight last year, when they ran a distance of 22 kilometres from Jeypore to Borriguma to promote the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup tournament which was hosted by Odisha. Officials of the district administration had then also lauded the efforts of Yamuna, Tapasya and Hari. The kids were initially trained by dad Jitendra who recognised their talent in distance running. Coach Jena then took it upon himself voluntarily to train the three. Yamuna stated that running is her passion and she does so as she believes that ‘to keep the body fit, we need to run’.
Locals pointed out Tuesday that the trio decided to run 40 kilometres to celebrate Hari’s birthday, Sunday.