Over 8,000 runners took part in the Ran-O-Thon, a running competition for men and women. Though only nine were foreign nationals, as many as five of them went on to win prizes.

The event, affiliated to Jharkhand Athletics Federation, was organised jointly by the state art, culture, sports and youth affairs department and Round Table India, a non-political youth organisation dedicated to “service, fellowship and goodwill”.

Chief minister Hemant Soren hands over a dummy cheque to Elias Matu Njambi from Kenya, the winner of the 21km run category at the event

In the men’s 21km run, Njambi and Issac Kihara of Kenya bagged the first and third positions respectively, while the second spot went to Samir Nasser of Ethiopia.

In the women’s section, the first and second places went to Caren Maiyo and Sally Kurui of Kenya. Runners from Uttar Pradesh dominated the Indian section of the 21km race in both the men’s and women’s categories.

The top three runners in the men’s and top two in the women’s section were from Uttar Pradesh. Arjun Tudu of Jharkhand bagged the fifth spot, while state mates Anita Das and Sakti Besra occupied the fourth and fifth spots in the women’s 21km category.

“The government will encourage sprint talents,” Hemant said.