KOCHI: As part of the campaign against the use of narcotic drugs, the Kerala De-addiction Mission ‘Vimukthi’ will organise a half-marathon in Kochi- ‘Cochin Monsoon Marathon, Run Against Drugs’ on August 12.
“The Excise Department aims to create awareness on the danger of drugs and instil an interest in physical activity by conducting the half-marathon,” said Excise Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh. “A large number of NDPS cases are booked from Kochi and it is only behind Amritsar in national figures,” he said.
More than 10,000 participants from across the state, irrespective of age and gender, are expected to take part in the half-marathon, he said. The marathon will start from Maharaja’s College Ground by 5.30 am and will pass through MG Road, Thevara, Naval Base, Willingdon Island and return back the same route.
Registration is free and there will be separate marathons for men, women and transgender categories.
The first prize for general category is `50,000 and second prize is `30,000. In the 35-50 year category, the first prize is `25,000 and `15,000 for above 50-year category.