PANAJI: SKF India, the technology and solutions provider of bearings and services, has extended its partnership with Vasco Sports Club for the third consecutive year for the Goa River Marathon (GRM) to be held at Chicalim, Vasco-da-Gama on Sunday, December 10, 2023.
The 13th edition of the SKF Goa River Marathon will feature an addition to its race categories – the inaugural “20-Miler” (32 km) race. This marks the first time this distance will be introduced, making it one of the few marathons in the country to include this race category. Also making its debut will be the 10 km “Corporate Challenge” race being organised in association with the Verna Industries Association (VIA), a media release said.
The event will continue to feature the full marathon (42 km), half marathon (21 km), 10 km, the 5 km race for school teams and a 5 km fun walk-run for first timers, as it has in its previous editions.
To build up the excitement, the inaugural run will take place at the Verna Industrial estate, in association with the Verna Industries Association and GIDC (Goa Industries Development Corporation) on Sunday, June 18, at 6:00 am. The run is expected to witness the participation of over 1000 running enthusiasts from all over Goa.
Nitin Bandekar, President of Vasco Sports Club (VSC), the promoters of the event, said, “We are honoured to collaborate once again with SKF as our title sponsor. The “20-Miler” race has been introduced to encourage half marathoners to make the transition to the full marathon gradually. This is the perfect distance for those not yet ready for the full marathon, as jumping straight to a full Marathon from a half marathon is a huge decision both mentally and physically. We could also be the only marathon in the country making this offering.”
Manish Bhatnagar, Managing Director, SKF India Ltd. said, “We are proud to renew our partnership as the title sponsors of Goa River Marathon. Both organizations share a commitment to celebrating the joy of running and the power of the human spirit, and our collaboration is another way for us to empower participants to stay strong in spirit, mind, and body. The SKF Goa River Marathon is one of the country’s most anticipated marathons, attracting diverse runners of all backgrounds and ages from all around the country, and the “20-Miler” is a very novel idea to reach more and more people and promote health and overall well-being.”
