Ambala: The second leg of the Great Indian Run was flagged-off from Saini Bhawan, G.T. Road, Ambala on Friday.
The run celebrates the 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign. The run builds on the success of the first chapter of the Great India Run held in 2016. The relay-run will cover 829 kilometers across 4 states from Srinagar to New Delhi from August 5 to August 15.
The Flag-off in Ambala was done by former cabinet minister Venod Sharma, Mayor Ambala Shakti Rani Sharma and Rajya Sabha MP Kartikeya Sharma.
The ceremony was attended by Olympic bronze medalist Yogeshwar Dutt, former Indian cricketer and BCCI selector Reetinder Singh Sodhi, renowned para-athletes Simran Vats, Neeraj Yadav and Asian bronze medalist rower Rohit Kumar. In support of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, the dignitaries and athletes handed the lead runner a national flag after unfurling it at the venue. The run is being led by Arun Bhardwaj, an Ultra-marathon runner.
The final leg of the run will see the runners cover a distance of 214 and the route will cover Ambala, Panipat, Sonipat and Kharkoda to finally finish in New Delhi on August 15.
“It is wonderful to be here in Ambala for the flag-off ceremony. The run is dedicated to the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and I feel proud to be associated with it. The run from Kashmir to Ambala saw the runners brave harsh weather conditions to reach their destination and I am quite sure they would maintain the same intensity and determination in the journey ahead. Also, I would like to especially thank the J&K establishment, central force, police and the Indian Army for their support and helping us during the Kashmir Leg and flag-off at the Lal Chowk,” Karthikeya Sharma said.
(IANS)
