Assam: Kokrajhar hosts National Half Marathon, "Run for Peace with NCC", promotes unity and sportsmanship

Marking a milestone for the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Kokrajhar witnessed its first-ever national-level half marathon, jointly organized by the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and BTC Sports and Welfare Department. The event, themed Run for Peace with NCC, Peace City Kokrajhar drew runners from across the country, symbolizing unity and peace through the spirit of sports.

The marathon took place on Sunday at Kokrajhar’s SAI Stadium and featured three race categories—21 kilometers, 10 kilometers, and 5 kilometers—for both male and female athletes. Seventeen NCC units, alongside notable sports figures, participated in the event, showcasing the region's growing commitment to sportsmanship.

In the flagship 21-kilometer race, Pankaj Kumar claimed victory in the men’s category, followed by Dipak Bhat and Kailash Choudhury. Thamsi Singh led the women's category, with Amrita Patel and Geeta Kumari Gour securing second and third places, respectively.

The 10-kilometer event saw Nitish Kumar taking first place in the men’s division, trailed by Akash Patel and Sandeep Singh. KM Sangeeta Pal emerged as the women’s champion, while Chandrakala Luitel and Pahi Keote followed in second and third places.

Also read: Sikkim CM inaugurates remodeled Bhutia Lepcha House in Gangtok

In the 5-kilometer run, Sukemalang Subas topped the men’s category, with Amol Dev Nath and Hitesh Boro close behind. Sandhya Yadav led the women’s race, finishing ahead of Rehana Khatun and Deepika Munda.

Dignitaries, including Assam’s Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Nandita Garlosa, BTC Executive Member Daobaisa Boro, and ADG NCC NER Gagan Deep, attended the prize distribution ceremony at the stadium. Minister Garlosa lauded the event’s success and expressed hopes for increased participation in future editions, noting its positive impact on Bodoland’s sports and tourism growth.

The NCC also announced plans to establish a new battalion in the region, underscoring its commitment to BTR. The event, which boasted a prize pool of approximately 15 lakh rupees, highlighted Kokrajhar’s potential as a center for major sporting events, cementing its reputation as a beacon of peace and cultural vibrancy.