Altogether 89 runners comprising athletes from Nagaland Athletics Association, school students and doctors competed in the “Doctors’ Day Run” that was organised to mark Doctors’ Day from Clock Tower junction here at 5:30 am on Sunday. The event witnessed participants as young as nine years old to those in their mid-forties taking part. A “Doctors’ Walk” was also organised at 5 pm from the same spot, which culminated with a programme at Rotary Club in Midland.
To mark the day, a half-marathon (21.1 km) and 5 and 10 km runs were jointly organised by General Practitioners’ Association (GPA) of Dimapur, Dimapur branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dimapur Doctors’ Forum and Nagaland Athletics Association, with Nagaland Post as the media partner.
Speaking to Nagaland Post before the event, GPA general secretary S Debnath said it was for the first time that doctors of the State had come together to hold such an event that was open for the public. The primary purpose of event was to encourage health for all and promote healthy living, he added.
Later in the evening, close to 30 doctors assembled at Clock Tower junction from where they proceeded to Rotary Club in Midland where a programme was held to commemorate the occasion. The programme was chaired by GPA president Dr Z Mozhui, who also delivered the welcome address.
Other highlights of the programme included self-introduction by doctors present, a talk on the life and work of Dr BC Roy by dermatologist of Zion Hospital Dr M Ovung, speeches by Dr BL Agarwal and Apollo Diagnostics, Dimapur, exhortation by Dr T Belho, speech by special invitee Dimapur chief medical officer Dr Vikato Kinimi, Manipuri and Bengali cultural dance performances and vote of thanks by GPA vice-president Dr Yiben.
July 1 is the birth and death anniversary of India’s most famous physician Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, and Government of India marked the day in 1991 to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of doctors towards the society.
Earlier, the 5-km run was flagged off from Zinyu Gas Agency and the 10-km run from Metro Hospital and the half-marathon from Notun Basti junction.
In the 5-km run for men, Litemo Lotha bagged the first position, while Chikon, Shezoto Rhakho, Zubenthung Kikon and Ruach A Cavender secured second, third, fourth and fifth positions respectively.
In the 5-km run for women, Imlibenla was the winner, while Thongkoi, Arenla, Mongshai and Moshang Phom finished second, third, fourth and fifth respectively.
In the 10-km run for male, Asakho clinched the first position, while Hopungkiu, Longshithung Jami, Shiangjiu T and Kughaho secured the second, third, fourth and fifth positions respectively.
In the 10-km run for female, Niansai came in as the winner, while Neikethonuo, Vekholhulu, Manchen and Kikrusnuo finished second, third, fourth and fifth respectively.
In the half-marathon for male, Thundimoba secured the first position, while N Puchong Khiam, Nahtei, Krishna Kumar and Nikito Sumi finished second, third, fourth and fifth respectively.
In the half-marathon for female, Tsuchoi T, Songmo P and Peiheiteile won the first, second and third positions respectively.
The prize money for the 5-km run was Rs 10,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000 for first, second and third positions respectively, while the prize money for the 10-km run was Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 7,000 respectively for first, second and third places.
In the half-marathon category, Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 were awarded to the first, second and third position holders, while Rs 5,000 was awarded for fourth and fifth positions respectively. Rs 3,000 each was also presented as consolation prizes to two winners in the 10-km category and Rs 2,000 each as two consolation prizes for winners in the 5-km category.
The youngest and oldest runners in the event – father and daughter duo of 46-year-old Manish Agarwal and nine-year-old Riddhima – were both awarded Rs 2,000 each.