Contestants from 9 countries take part in marathon in Akhaura

Some 491 contestants from nine countries took part in a marathon held on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh in Akhaura, Brahmanbaria.

The Akhaura Student Welfare Council in Cumilla organised the marathon titled "Akhaura Half Marathon" on Wednesday morning. 

Mayor of Akhaura Municipality Takzil Khalifa Kajal inaugurated the event at the premises of Akhaura Upazila Parishad.

The marathon started at 6 am. There were two categories for the contestants, 21.1 km and 10 km. From 20-year-olds to 61-year-olds took part in the marathon.

Sukanta Chakraborty, president of Akhaura Student Welfare Council in Cumilla, said, "Apart from Bangladesh, competitors from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Japan, China, Kenya, Maldives and Thailand took part in the marathon."

"In the 21.1 km category, competitors ran from and to the Akhaura Upazila Parishad through Radhanagar, Mogra Bazar, Colonel Bazar, Adampur, Bautala and Akhaura check post, and in 10 km category they ran from and to the Akhaura Upazila Parishad via the check post," he added.