Jayanthan and Mercy win Nestomalt mini marathon

Anushka Withange reporting from Jaffna

Krishnam Jayanthan and N. Mercy of Sandilipai Andaththarippu clinched the men’s and women’s title respectively at the Nestomalt Mini Marathon third stage held on Saturday in Jaffna.

It was a historic occasion for the sports loving people of the North with Jaffna coming back to life in the sphere of sports after 30 years with the Nestomalt Mini Marathon being held in Jaffna for the first time. It attracted upto around seven thousand competitors in four categories, men’s and women’s open and boy’s and girl’s over 14 years.

Meanwhile S. Kauri (UrumbriSiva Tamil Vidyalaya) in the girl’s category and M. Tinesh (St. Anthony’s College) in the boy’s, won the schools marathon respectively.

It was flagged off by the chief guest Major General, Mahinda Hathurusinghe (Security Forces Commander Jaffna) and David Saudan (Managing Director Nestle Lanka Ltd) from opposite the Duraiappa Stadium.

The event was confined to 12 kilometres as this is the first occasion the runners in the peninsula took part in long distance running and this will also help them to acclamatise for long distance running.

The race started from Duraiappa Stadium and the runners went through KKS Road, Hospital Road, Aariyakulam Junctions Muththira, Nayanmarkadu, Kanakaratnam Road, Kandy Road and through Bastian Road will end at Duraiappa Stadium.

Organised by Jaffna District Athletic Association of Sri Lanka with the support and collaboration of the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Police, the Nestomalt mini marathon was a popular event.

Nestle Lanka Pvt Ltd was the main sponsor.

Open Men’s Category: 1. Krishnam Jayanthan 2. Harishchandran Jagadeeran Open Women’s Category: 1. N. Mercy (Sandilipai Andaththarippu)2. N. Sumadi (Pandaththarippu) 3. S. Jasintha (Mulai) School Girls 1. S. Kauri (UrumbriSiva Tamil Vidyalaya) 2. T. Rewathi (Arunodya College) 3. K. Kanoja (Pandaththarippu Magalir Halluri) School Boys 1. M. Tinesh (St. Anthony’s College) 2. J. Jeewanraj (Skandavarodaya College) 3. T. Jaseiken (Bigneshwara Vidyalaya)