On November 6, 2022, the Assam Rifles held the second edition of the Half Marathon as part of the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations at the Directorate General Assam Rifles Headquarters in Laitkor, Shillong. The Half Marathon celebrates 76 years of progressive India and the wonderful history of its people, culture, and achievements, while also promoting the “Fit India Movement,” which is an India-wide initiative that encourages people to stay healthy and fit by incorporating physical activities and sports into their daily lives. On August 29, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Fit India Movement at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi (National Sports Day). The race was accessible to men and women of various ages. The run exemplified unity in diversity and fostered national unity.
The event was a huge success, as serving soldiers and their families from the Assam Rifles, Army, Air Force, CRPF, CISF, SSB, BSF, and Meghalaya Police all showed up in large numbers to run the marathon through the beautiful hills of East Khasi District in Laitkor. Veteran cross-country runners from the Meghalaya Olympic Association participated in the Mega event, providing a local flavour and a challenge to the runners from the Armed Forces and CAPFs. The race had separate divisions for older and younger runners based on the distances they covered: 21 kilometres, 10 kilometres, and 5 kilometres. There were 303 runners in the 21-kilometer half-marathon, 512 in the 10-kilometer run, and 224 in the 5-kilometer run for fun.
The Chief Guest, Brigadier General (Dr.) B D Mishra (Retd), Governor of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, lauded the attendees of the event for their upbeat attitudes and boundless amounts of energy. The Honourable Governor was on hand to present awards to the category winners of the 21 Km race. The 21-kilometer race for people ages 21 to 30 was won by Mr. Emphius Nongrum and Mrs. Darisha Langjuh. Mr. Suvisje and Lt. Col. Shreya Rawat were the winners of the 21-kilometer race for participants aged 31 to 40. Comdt. Pramod Kumar and Mrs. Lt. General PC Nair, AVSM, YSM, PhD, and DG Assam Rifles competed in the 21-kilometer race for participants aged 50 and above.
The fact that women and children of all ages took part in the marathon contributed to the excitement and passion that surrounded the event. Children as young as five years old participated in and completed the 5 km category, exhibiting their fervour and commitment to completing the challenge.
The Assam Rifles, often known as the “Sentinels of the North East,” has made a commitment to peace and prosperity in the region. It has previously participated in a number of activities promoting the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” and the “Fit India Movement.” This not only promotes regional cohesion, but also plays an important role in bringing the borderlands together, bringing the nation together, and integrating them as one, so establishing it as a “Force that Binds the North East.”
