The Telegraph

This year, the organisers expect a turnout of more than 800. “Every year this event breaks records in terms of the number of participants and this year, too, we expect to break the last year’s record,” Sameer Anjaria, CEO, West Bengal and Odisha, Bharti Airtel, said. “This event is quite close to us as it helps the cause of education among underprivileged children.”

At least six runs were organised in the city to prepare those who would want to participate. “Approximately 200 people turned up at each of the runs. They came in groups, not just from Salt Lake but from all over the city, including Garia, New Town and Behala,” race director Gupta said.

Funds from four editions have been used to build classrooms in Sarada Sishu Mandir in Tanterberia, Howrah, Katadanga Arya Jatiya Vidyalaya, Katadanga, Champadani Ram Dulari Hindi School in Champadani, and Kamarhati Primary School in Kamarhati. This year, Round Table India wants to build four classrooms, a staircase and bathrooms at Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Kharagpur.

Get your running shoes ready as the first road race of this winter is flagged off at City Centre on November 25.

The fifth edition of the Airtel Run for Education partnered by The Telegraph will have a timed 5km race for the first time in its history to encourage first-timers to take up running as a sport.

The organisers decided to get the 5km race time-monitored after several runners said they would like to know their timings and get a medal for their efforts.

The 21km half marathon will run in a single loop where participants will run from City Centre to the Kolkata Gate in New Town and back.

“The route will be scenic and the half marathon will not get monotonous as participants have to complete a single loop unlike last year’s several,” Atul Gupta, race director, Round Table India, said.