The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Bodhgaya Marathon Committee (BMC), and with full support from the Korean Buddhist Sangha, organised a Global Run for Peace on Sunday, 14 January 2024. The endeavour aimed to reinforce the need for unity and peaceful co-existence amidst all kinds of natural and man-made complexities that the world is facing today.
The peace run,involving a total of almost 1500 participants,was held in four categories – 42 Kms, 21 Kms, 10 Kms and 5 Kms. Being an international event there was participation by around 80 foreign athletes from more than 7 countries.
The marathon was flagged off by His Holiness Tai Situpa Rinpoche representing the monks and Lt. Gen. P. S. Minhas AVSM, Commandant of the Officers Training Academy (OTA).Soldiers and monks being two nodal instruments of perpetual pursuance of peace, genuine efforts were made to involve monks and soldiers in the endeavour. There were 200 plus officers and cadets from the Indian Armed Forces as the Gaya Officers Training Academy (OTA) is located there.
The BMC coordinated participation from the local and national population from academic institutions and athletes, while IBC had arranged the participation and/or blessings from 300 monks across all traditions as also from the Indian Armed Forces for the success of the marathon.
The event earned recognition from the Athletic Federation of India and the Bihar Athletic Association. More than just a race, the Bodh Gaya Marathon, a first in the city, echoed a message of harmony and goodwill, transcending boundaries and embracing diversity on the sacred land of enlightenment. Certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), the event ensured a world-class marathon experience adhering to international standards.
Among the winners were Ajay Kumar (M) and Sheiljah Jepkorir (F) (for the 42 km marathon), Sumit Kumar (M) and Brigid Jerono (F) (for the 21 kms stretch), Rajan Raj (M) and Tanuja Kumari (F) (for the 10 kms distance) and few others for the 5 kms patch.The event sent a strong message through the enforcers of peace aiming to induce compassion among people.
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