The fifth edition of the Sohra International Half Marathon witnessed an unprecedented turnout, establishing a new record with 11,672 registered participants competing across various categories. Satish Kumar Verma and Tejaswini Narendra Lambkane delivered stellar performances to capture the top honors in the prestigious elite men’s and women’s 21-kilometer races, respectively.
Elite Dominance and Local Victories
In the premier 21-kilometer elite men's category, Satish Kumar Verma outran his rivals to cross the finish line in an impressive time of 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 4 seconds. Meanwhile, Tejaswini Narendra Lambkane displayed exceptional stamina in the elite women's event, securing victory with a clocking of 1 hour, 15 minutes, and 20 seconds.
The half marathon also highlighted strong athletic talent from the host state in the dedicated Meghalaya category. Wolbetstar Ramsiej finished ahead of the pack in the local men’s 21-kilometer division with a timing of 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 26 seconds. In the women’s Meghalaya division, Marqueenless Ramsiej surged to victory, completing the course in 1 hour, 23 minutes, and 55 seconds.
Widespread Participation Across Age Groups and States
Athletes from nearly 24 Indian states as well as several international distance runners converged on Sohra, reflecting the event's expanding national and global footprint. The marathon featured various age-group categories in the 10-kilometer run. In the 18 to 39 age bracket, Wankyrmen L Mawphlang won the men's race in 28 minutes and 28 seconds, while Daplin Wahlang claimed the women's title with a time of 37 minutes and 20 seconds.
In the 40 to 54 age group, Bharat Bhushan clinched first place among men with a time of 29 minutes and 14 seconds, and Mena Mary Wahlang topped the women’s section in 41 minutes and 55 seconds. Senior runners also demonstrated impressive endurance in the 55-and-above division, where Swonding Mawlong won the men’s race in 38 minutes and 07 seconds, while Thlingda Wanniang finished first among women in 45 minutes flat.
Enhanced Cash Prizes and Government Support
To motivate competitors and raise the status of the event, organizers doubled the prize purse for the elite categories this year. Champions in both the elite men's and women's divisions were awarded 3 lakh rupees each. The second-place finishers received 2 lakh rupees, while third-place runners secured 1 lakh rupees. Furthermore, consolation rewards of 10,000 rupees were handed out to athletes finishing between fourth and eighth place. Cash incentives were also extended to local categories, including a 50,000 rupee prize for the top finisher in the Meghalaya Open 21-kilometer race.
Meghalaya Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla emphasized the extraordinary growth of the race, noting that participation had surged from approximately 750 runners during its initial edition to nearly 12,000 this year. He explained that authorities were forced to cap registrations to maintain adequate logistical support and safety standards, stating that overall interest could easily have surpassed 20,000 participants without limits. Shylla highlighted that the marathon generates significant economic benefits for local homestay operators, transportation services, and farmers, while repositioning Sohra as a major athletic destination beyond its traditional fame for heavy rainfall and scenic waterfalls. He encouraged participants to act as ambassadors for the state as Meghalaya prepares to host the 39th National Games next year.
Infrastructure, Safety, and Global Certification
Prominent Indian ultramarathon runner Sukant Suki Singh, who has completed three 200-mile endurance events, attended the run and lauded Meghalaya's natural terrain and sporting setup. He expressed confidence that the state possesses all the necessary qualities to become India's future sports hub, praising ongoing administrative efforts to cultivate young athletic talent.
The marathon was jointly organized by the Meghalaya State Olympics Association (MSOA), the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, and the Meghalaya Athletics Association alongside key local stakeholders. The event was formally recognized and certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). Comprehensive safety measures were deployed along the route, supported by medical personnel, paramedics, police officers, and volunteers, along with multiple hydration stations to ensure runner safety.
