: The route of the second edition of the Cochin International Half Marathon to be held on December 7 was unveiled here on Saturday.
The marathon organisers have been forced to take a detour from the route taken in the maiden edition due to Metro works.
The 21.09-km half marathon for men and women and the 10-km amateur timed run would be flagged off from Marine Drive. The 7-km race for amateur runners and the 4-km race for senior citizens would be flagged off from Maharaja’s College ground. However, all races will end at Maharaja’s College ground.
The race will begin from Marine Drive and run along Park Avenue, Government Law College, and BTH roundabout before entering M.G. Road through Foreshore Road. From the Medical Trust junction, the participants will turn right to proceed to Venduruthy Bridge to reach NH 47.
From there a left turn will be taken to move along to Cochin Gateway bridge via Cochin Port Trust junction. The contestants will then take the BOT Bridge to reach Thoppumppady junction. They will then cover the Aroor-Thoppumppady Road before reaching PT Jacob Road junction. From there they will take a U-turn as they start the run back to the finishing line at Maharaja’s College.
The half marathon is expected to attract around 20 of the world’s leading long distance male and female athletes, including the leading names from India. The male and female winners will win $5,500 each while the top finishing male and female athletes will take home Rs. 2 lakh each.
The second edition of the half marathon will showcase the vibrant and the resurgent city to the world. It will present the city in the best of its colours as the participants will pass through some of the picturesque spaces along the route, said Mayor Tony Chammany.
Association of International Marathons and Distance Races course measurer Murugesu Soosaimany said that the route was one of the most scenic as it goes along the coast, covers three bridges and almost all important points in the city.
