Bhubaneswar: Sainik School Bhubaneswar successfully organised the Ninth Sainik School–OMC Mini Marathon at 6 am on Sunday, witnessing enthusiastic participation from students, cadets, and alumni.
More than 1,200 participants, including around 600 cadets of Sainik School Bhubaneswar, students from Sahodaya Schools, government schools, and Old Boys (OBENS) of the school, took part in this mega sporting event.
The event was a collaborative effort by the OBENS of Sainik School Bhubaneswar and Odisha Mining Corporation, under the spirit of “Run for Fun,” aimed at spreading the message of a “Clean, Green, and Pollution-Free Bhubaneswar.”
Senior category runners covered a 10 km route, starting and concluding at the Gandhi Ground, Sainik School Bhubaneswar, and passing through Mancheswar Railway Colony Road, OMFED Chak, NALCO–Kalinga Hospital Square, Jayadev Vihar, Acharya Vihar Square, and Apollo Hospital Road.
Junior category runners followed a shorter route via Mancheswar Colony Road, OMFED Chak, NALCO–Kalinga Hospital Square, and Gajapati Nagar Road before returning to the school campus.
The marathon was flagged off by the Chief Guest, Colonel Rohit Singh, Sena Medal, Commanding Officer, 120 Territorial Army Battalion, along with Madhusudan Padhi, IAS (Retd.), State Election Commissioner of Odisha and President of the Old Boys Association of Sainik School Bhubaneswar. Colonel Pankaj Kumar, Principal of Sainik School Bhubaneswar; Commander Manorama Pokheriya, Vice Principal; and Lieutenant Colonel Pritam Kamble, Administrative Officer, were also present to ensure the smooth and efficient conduct of the event. Senior officials of OMC, senior OBENS Amitav Swain, Colonel Sameer Lenka, and other distinguished alumni enthusiastically supported the event.
Vikas emerged as the winner in SSB Senior Boys category, Abhipsa Saraf emerged as the winner in SSB Girls category, Aman Kumar emerged as winner in SSB Junior Boys category, Pratyush Patra emerged as winner in SSB Class VI Boys category, Shristi Tirkey emerged as winner in SSB Class VI Girls category, Arman Nayak emerged as winner in outside Schools Senior Boys category, Shreysri Mishra emerged as winner in outside Schools Girls category, Debajyoti Patra and Shubham Ashish Diwedi emerged as winner in outside Schools Junior Boys category and Commander Saroj Kumar Sahu emerged as winner in OBEANS category. All the winners and those securing 2nd and 3rd position in the above mentioned categories were awarded cash prizes by the Chief Guest.
In his address to the youngsters, the Chief Guest Col Singh urged the youth to work for a Clean, Green and Pollution-free Bhubaneswar and cooperate in the endeavours of the government by participating in Swachh Bharat initiatives. He also expressed his happiness for the continued efforts of the Old Boys Association in organising the marathon for school students and spreading the message of clean, green and pollution-free Bhubaneswar.
Olympian Anuradha Biswal graced the Prize Distribution Ceremony as the Guest of Honour and inspired the participants by emphasising the importance of physical fitness, discipline, and sportsmanship.
The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony at 7.30 am, during which Colonel Rohit Singh, Sena Medal, Olympian Anuradha Biswal, and senior OBEANS felicitated the winners.
The successful conduct of the marathon reinforced Sainik School Bhubaneswar’s commitment to promoting physical fitness, leadership qualities, and holistic development among youth.
