Tendulkar to virtually flag off marathon on August 15

Former India captain Sachin Tendulkar will virtually flag off the IDBI Federal Future Fearless Marathon on Saturday (August 15). The marathon will be divided into four categories – Full Marathon (42.2k), Half Marathon (21.1k), 5k and 10k. NEB Sports, the organisers, confirmed on Monday (August 10) that over 6000 participants had already registered for the event.

Last year in August, Tendulkar flagged off Mumbai’s premier half marathon with over 17,000 runners lining up for the fourth edition. This year though, the Master Blaster will be flagging off the marathon virtually, owing to the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s marathon will see runners running in their own cities across the world. Participants will have to track their own timings on a tracking app on their phones and submit screenshots or links on the given platform to be eligible for certificates.

“Mental and physical fitness have always been important and is even more so today. It is wonderful to see enthusiastic runners registering for the IDBI Federal Future Fearless Marathon. I wish them well, as they exercise precautions and follow lockdown instructions while running towards their fitness goals,” said Tendulkar, the brand ambassador of IDBI Federal Life Insurance.

The marathon aims to create awareness around fitness, especially in times of a global pandemic. To celebrate India’s 73rd Independence Day, the organisers have requested the runners to sport the colours of the Indian flag in their outfit. Full marathoners are requested to run in saffron, half marathoners in green, 10k runners in white and 5k runners in navy blue.