Tamil Nadu: Cancer awareness marathon organised in Coimbatore

A Cancer Awareness Marathon organized by the Coimbatore Cancer Foundation (CCF) on Sunday, October 6, saw participation from nearly 16,000 people. While speaking to ANI, CCF managing trustee Dr T Balaji said, "This is our 7th edition of the marathon. Today's was our biggest marathon so far. We had 23,026 people running the half marathon. We had 16,000 runners out of which 3,000 runners were women. It is an amazing journey growing in size. This is organized for raising awareness for generating support for cancer patients. The fund we raise from the marathon is used for helping cancer patients," he added.

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'50 police runners including five IPS'

The Marathon was held to raise awareness about breast and lung cancer. DGP, Railway Police, Dr Sylender Babu opined the Coimbatore marathon sees the most determined people participating in the marathon in Tamil Nadu.

"16,000 people ran enthusiastically for the seventh time here. From the police, we had 50 runners including five IPS officers. We were representing the Police Department. Without running, there is no fitness. In other countries, people cycle, run or swim for fitness," he added.

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Elgi Equipments collaborates with CCF for the seventh edition

Air-compressor manufacturer Elgi Equipments has collaborated with the Coimbatore Cancer Foundation for the seventh time since 2013 to organize the Coimbatore Marathon to spread cancer awareness among people. Elgi had also organised the marathon on October 5 at Charlotte, North Carolina, the US and around 1,650 employees of the company along with their family members had vowed to participate in it. "This year’s campaign #What’sYourFinishLine will prompt every Elgi employee, dealer, customer, supplier and the society to set their own challenging goals (any activity related to fitness) and achieve the same", a company release said.

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The global air compressor manufacturer has also sponsored “Susan G Komen’s Race for the Cure” on which is a focussed fund-raising event for advancement in breast cancer treatment. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is the world's largest fundraising event which started in 1990 for awareness on breast cancer. It consists of a series of 5K runs and fitness walks to raise money for breast cancer, to raise awareness of the disease, to celebrate those who have survived breast cancer, and memorialize those who have not.

(With ANI inputs)

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