IGP Jammu flags off event; winners felicitated with cash prizes, medals
KATRA, Oct 25: District Police Reasi, under the aegis of Jammu and Kashmir Police, organised the “Run for Unity” 10K Run in Katra on Saturday, witnessing enthusiastic participation of over 1,000 runners from Jammu and Kashmir and various other parts of the country.
The event aimed to promote national unity, physical fitness, healthy living, sportsmanship and a spirit of togetherness, bringing participants from diverse age groups and regions onto a common platform.
The run commenced from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Stadium, Katra, and proceeded along the designated route towards Aghar Jitto Temple. Participants displayed remarkable enthusiasm, discipline and sporting spirit throughout the event.
Tejinder Singh, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, graced the occasion as the chief guest. Other dignitaries present included Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University; Swarn Singh Kotwal, DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range; Mukund Tibrewal, SSP Reasi; Alok Maurya, Additional Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Ramesh Chander Kotwal, SSP Railways, Katra; and Kameshwar Puri, SP Katra.
The event saw participation from children, youth, men and women, adult runners and senior citizens, including those above 60 years of age. Runners from Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi and other parts of the country participated, reflecting the spirit of “Unity in Diversity.”
The competitive 10K race featured separate male and female categories, with cash prizes of Rs 12,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 8,000 for the first, second and third positions, respectively, in each category.
In the male category, Sandeep from Haryana secured first position, followed by Gagandeep from Punjab in second place and Imran Kasana from Jammu and Kashmir in third place. In the female category, Robin Verma clinched first position, while Vandana Devi and Priyanka Sharma secured second and third positions, respectively.
The top ten finishers in both categories were also felicitated with medals by the chief guest in recognition of their performances. All participants who successfully completed the run received finisher medals and certificates.
RJ Shwetima anchored the programme, while Shrija Salathia, Pilates expert at Shree Fitness Studio, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, conducted a special warm-up and fitness session to prepare the participants for the race.
District Police Reasi made comprehensive arrangements to ensure the safety, comfort and convenience of the runners. Drinking water, refreshments and electrolytes were provided at the sports stadium and designated points along the route, including the 2.5-kilometre and 5-kilometre marks.
The successful organisation of the event highlighted District Police Reasi’s efforts to strengthen community engagement and promote fitness, sportsmanship and national unity by providing citizens with a platform to come together in a healthy and positive environment.