Country’s 1st-Ever Int’l Marathon Begins

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Dhaka Marathon 2021, the first international marathon in the country, began in the capital on Sunday morning.

The Bangladesh Army is organising a marathon marking the centenary of the birth of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

Approximately 200 elite marathon runners from Morocco, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ukraine, France, Bahrain, Belarus, Lesotho, India, Nepal and Maldives and 165 Bangladeshi athletes participated in two competition categories – full marathon and half marathon.

The digital marathon also started on the same day and will continue till 7 March, when athletes from all over the world will participate.

The full marathon, covering 42.195 kilometres, started at 6:00 am and the half marathon of 21.097 kilometres, at 6:40 am, from Banani Army Stadium and will conclude at Hatirjheel after crossing Kakoli, Gulshan 1, Gulshan 2, Police Plaza, and Hatirjjheel circle.

The champion of the full marathon from the elite group will receive prize money of $15,000, runner-up $10,000 and second runner-up $5,000.

And the champion of South Asia and Bangladesh will get Tk 5,00,000, runner-up Tk4,00,00 and second runner-up Tk3,00,000.  

Also, the champion of the half marathon from the elite group will get prize money of $2,750 while the local champion will receive Tk250,000.