Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Cycling and Adventure Club (BCAC) successfully organised the 5th edition of the MCL Puri Beach Marathon, a pioneering event that showcases the spirit of adventure and athleticism. Over 1000 runners, including women, from across the country and abroad, participated in the event, which was held on the pristine beaches of Puri.
The event was flagged off by Additional DGP Sanjeeb Panda, President of BCAC, along with retired IPS officer Lalit Das, Puri SP Prateek Singh, and Ajay Kumar Nanda, Secretary BCAC. The marathon had two categories: Half-Marathon (21 km) and Fun Run (7 km).
The Half-Marathon course was a challenging 10.55 km return route from Samuka Beach to Bali Harachandi Beach, while the Fun Run participants covered 3.5 km. Despite the tough terrain, participants showcased their grit and determination, with some remarkable performances.
Winners were awarded cash prizes totalling Rs 2.2 lakhs, with the first prize of Rs 50,000 going to Ashok Dandasena of Odisha, who completed the Half-Marathon in 1 hour 16 minutes 25 seconds.
The event was sponsored by MCL, Rungta Sons, Punjab National Bank, M\S Tarini Prasad Mohanty, BPCL, and Secuodsoft. BCAC President Sanjeeb Panda thanked the participants and announced that the event would be held annually on the second Sunday of December.
BCAC has a history of organising innovative events, including cycling expeditions to Vietnam, Cambodia, Bhutan, and the Himalayas. The club is committed to promoting cycling and running culture in the state.
