Bangalore: Rajyotsava Ota to be held on Nov 1 in f

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Rajyotsava Ota to be held on Nov 1 in five districts

Bangalore: It’s time to put on your running shoes again. Come November 1, the residents of Karnataka will get an opportunity to celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the formation of the state with the inaugural Rajyotsava Ota 2008, a 10km run to be held across five districts — Bangalore, Shimoga, Chitradurga, Bellary and Hubli-Dharwad.

The run, backed by the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) as well as the Sports Authority of Karnataka, will begin at the same time — 6.30 am — across all five districts.

Appreciating the concept of the run, Indian hockey legend MP Ganesh said the event would help in bridging the sporting divide between rural and urban areas.

“I see this as an opportunity to tap rural talent. I believe that quality comes through quantity,” he said.

Triple Tree Exhibitions and Sports, the organisers of the annual event, said the run is aimed at including all sects of society as well as promoting tourism in Karnataka. As many as 1.5 lakh entries are expected for the run.

DYSS commissioner Amar Kumar Pandey said several other districts would also get the opportunity to host the run in future, based on a system of rotation. “The DYSS will provide all logistic support to the run. We will depute as many as 1,000 officials across the five districts to oversee the event,” he said.

The run will be divided into two categories — Run for Pride and Run for Glory. Participants who choose the first can opt for the Suvarna Ota (3km) or the Sambhrama Ota (5 km), both of which are free to the public with the top 100 contestants receiving certificates. Those opting for the Run for Glory can run the Gandhada Ota (10 km) or the Kasturi Ota (5 km).

Registration fee for both events in the Run for Glory is Rs 250 and participants stand a chance to win cash prizes and awards.

Route maps in all five districts will be finalized soon. Further details are available at www.rajyotsavaota.com.