Vishwas Gaikwad, Alexandra Moore win Sinhgad-Rajgad-Torna Ultra-Marathon

On Dec 13, 2018

International Ultra-Marathon
Big response to the running expedition organised by Western Ghat Running Foundation
Pune: NP NEWS 24 ONLINE- Maharashtra’s first Ultra-Marathon, which carried the qualifier status for Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc international run, saw India’s Vishwas Gaikwad and England’s Alexandra Moore win the men’s and women’s 50-km category respectively, on Sunday.

The run, which went over three forts and organised by the Western Ghat Running Foundation saw tremendous response from runners of five countries, 15 states and 35 cities.

This was for the first time Maharashtra played host to an international Ultra-Marathon in which runners from England, Malaysia, the Philippines and Cameroon took part.

The 27-year-old Gaikwad from Raigad, who trains in Pune, won the three-fort Ultra-Marathon that tested physical and mental strength of the participants in 6 hours 29 minutes and 54 seconds.

Gaikwad trains at Indians Sports Revolution with Adinath Naik and Jai Govind Yadav. Earlier he had posted wins in Pune and Kolhapur Ultra-marathons.

Bengaluru’s Santosh K and Coorg’s Gaurav Devaiah finished in second position with identical timings of 7 hours 22 mins 40 secs. Shivaji Mali finished third in 7::37:12.

Moore wins women’s title

Alexandra Moore of England posted 8 hours 7 minutes 17 seconds to win the women’s title in 50-km run beating Pooja Rani (8::47:46) and Monika Mehta (9::08:00).

The run was flagged off by MP Supriya Sule in presence of Digvijay Jedhe, Trustee of Western Ghat Running Foundation, Anil Pawar, Maruti Gole, Mandar Mate, Everester Harshad Rao, Sarjerao Jedhe, Amit Gaikwad, Sameer Jadhavrao, Nikesh Jedhe, Jinda Sandbhor and Mahesh Malusare.

The run was flagged off at 6am on Sunday from Golewadi chowk at the foothills of Sinhgad fort with the runners in men and women category heading on to first stage of 11 kms to Narveer Tanaji Malusare’s memorial and back.

Then the runners began 25-km run from Sinhgad to Rajgad before the 50-km stretch from Sinhgad, Rajgad and Torna through Vinzar Sakhargaon, Gunjawane, Sanjivani Machi, Budhla Machi and from Velhe before ending at Pabe village.

Besides the main run, two separate runs for 25-km and 11-km were also organised that too went through historic routes linking the three forts.

Winners qualified for UTMB 2019

Given that SRT was accorded affiliation by the International Trail Running Association, the finishers qualified to compete in Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc 2019 to be held in France next year. Every finisher earned 3 points that will enable their participation in one of the world’s toughest ultra-marathon in France.

Results:

50-km:

Men: 1. Vishwas Gaikwad 6 hrs 29 min 54 secs; 2. Santosh K and Gaurav Devaiah 7::21:40; 3. Shivaji Mali 7::37:12.

Women: Alexandra Moore 8::07:17; 2. Puja Rani 8::47:46; 3. Monika Mehta 9::08:00.

25-km:

Men: 1. Yash Raj 3::06:01; 2. Arun Kumar 3::08:25; 3. Navin Kumar 3::09:59.

Women: 1. Nupur Singh 3::16:12; 2. Jagruti Gohil 5::30:00.

11-km:

Men: 1. Ganesh Parkhe 1::23:26; 2. Vishvesh Mahajan 1::39:27; 3. Pawan Chhavane 1::40:58.

Women: 1. Kavita Patil 1::58:35; 2. Pricilia Madan2::02:46; 3. Vidya Bendale 2::11:50.

Captions: Competitors running through the mountainous route during the Sinhgad-Rajgad-Torna Ultra-Marathon organised by the Western Ghat Running Foundation.

The Winners: Vishwas Gaikwad and Alexandra Moore, the winners of Men and Women categories of 50-k Sinhgad-Rajgad-Torna Ultra Marathon celebrate after the finish.