Marathon draws record participation

Amid ongoing Jashane-Baharan activities in Lahore, and Liberty Chowk became the centre of sports on Sunday, with Lahoris participating actively in various competitions, including bicycle and marathon races.

The day started with the Tour De Lahore Cycle Race organised by the Punjab Sports Board at Liberty Chowk. Amir Sohail of Sahiwal won the marathon race organised in Lahore as part of the spring celebrations.

Sohail covered the distance of 42 kilometres in two hours, 22 minutes and four seconds. For his achievement, he was awarded a prize of Rs1 million.

While Asrar Khattak was second and Abdul Rasheed secured third rank in the marathon race.

Punjab Sports Board Director General Tariq Qureshi expressed happiness over the record number of athletes', and females', participation and promised to organise an international marathon race as well.

Ali Ilyas of Karachi won the cycle race, while Abdul Basit and Aqib secured the second and third positions, respectively. In the girls' five-kilometre bicycle race, Rajya Shabbir came first, followed by Razia Hanif in second place and Zainab in third. A wheelchair race was also organised, in which Muhammad Razzaq emerged as the winner.

At the end of the races, prizes worth more than Rs2 million were distributed among the winners.

Cyclists and athletes said that such competitions give them an opportunity to prove themselves and move forward.

Family fun races were also organised on the occasion.