Imphal, February 17: Th Pasot Leima of Achanbigei and N Raju of PYA (Haraorou) bagged the women's and men's title respectively in the Mega Marathon Manipur 2008 held today.

While Pasot Leima won the race in the women's open section with a timing of 1 hr 21 min 38 secs, N Raju completed the 21.97 km course in 1 hr 11 min 11 sec for the men's crown.

S Premila (1hr 24 min 08 sec) of Yairipok and Kh Rasheshori (1hr 30 min 03 sec) representing AMESCO respectively secured the second and third positions in the women's category with Kh Premjit (1hr 11 min 37 sec) of MPSC and Ideal Club Tera's O Brojen (1hr 12 min 18 sec) finishing second and third respectively in the men's race.

Over 1000 athletes of various ages took part in the marathon competition organised by the United People's Front under the theme 'Run for your Nation'.

The race flagged off from the Khuman Lampak main Stadium passed through Khoyathong-Nagamapal road towards RIMS Road, Naoremthong, Tera Keithel, Kwakeithel, Pishumthong, Singjamei, Khongman Mangjil, Kongba Keithel, lamlong and back to the starting point.

Prizes were awarded to the top ten finishers in each category of the race that also included competitions in age group men's and women's veteran group.

The marathon race was flagged off by the Sports Minister N Biren Singh at 8 am while the prize distribution ceremony was held with Education Minister L Jayentakumar Singh and UPF president Thingom Mangi as the chief guest and president respectively.

director SAI NERC L Tiken Singh, Joint director (YAS) M Pahari and Principal (NSA) L Ajit Singh graced the occasion as the guests of honour.

The top prize in the open (men&women) category carried Rs 30,000 each followed by Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 for the second and third position winners.

Runners in the open category who occupied the fourth to 10th places were each awarded Rs 2000 .

Among the winners in the veteran group the top finishers were awarded Rs 10,000 each with cash prize of Rs 7000 presented to second position winners and Rs 5000 to competitors who finished third.

Rs 500 each were also presented to competitors securing fourth to tenth place in the group.

Top three winners in the veteran group are as follows:
Women's 35 plus: 1st Y Ibeyaima Leima Lamjao Makha Leikai (1hr 56 min 31 sec); 2nd Th Rina Top Khongnangkhong (2hr 19 min 06 sec); 3rd O Sana AMESCO (2hr 26 min 27 sec) .

45 plus: 1st B Malaya (2hr 04 min 13 sec); 2nd Madhumati (2hr 06 min 41 sec); 3rd N Premila (2hr 07 min 57 sec) .

55 plus: 1st Th Akashini (1hr 53min 58sec); 2nd A Memcha (1hr 54min 47 sec); 3rd M Ashamila (1hr 55min 57sec) .

men's 40 plus: 1st S Gunamani Mayang Langjing (1hr 31min 49sec); 2nd Md Nazimuddin MPSC (1hr 34min 32sec); 3rd S Shankar Changangei (1hr 36min 08sec) .

50 plus: 1st S Surjamani (1hr 28min 35sec); 2nd A Surchandra (1hr 33min 29sec); 3rd Th Nabakumar (1hr 37min 31sec) .

60 plus: 1st S manihar (1hr 41min 30sec); 2nd Y Tiken (1hr 46min 29sec); 3rd E Tondonsana (1hr 50min 06sec) .

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