Patna gears up for Patna Marathon week starting on the Valentine day, 14th Feb 2012. CEO of Patna Marathon Shri Atul Kumar, IIM Ahmedabad graduate appraised the team about the major developments over last few weeks and informed the team that organizers have been continuously working hard to rope in corporate as well as government to work together and celebrate growth story of the region by connecting with the rural corners of Bihar.

Patna Marathon would serve as a common platform for the rural Bihar, urban masses and the government where people as well as government officials would join hands to promote Bihar Brand following the policy of inclusive growth. This unique event supported by more than 1000 volunteers from rural as well as urban parts of Bihar has already created considerable degree of visibility of Patna/Bihar on the international sports calendar as Patna will witness presence of huge number of gathering including runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Asia, Africa, Australia, Americas and rest of world.

It is estimated that approx. 10,000 runners will participate in run for progress of Bihar in various categories including 42 kms, 10 kms, 5kms and 2.5 kms respectively. Additionally Patna Marathon is expected to gather presence of 2,00,000 people from Patna, Bihar and other corners of the world who would be present as spectators to cheer up the runners along the marathon route.

Patna Marathon not only aims to create health consciousness amongst youth, it is also promoting protection of Ganages Dolphin by adopting it as its Mascot “Paltan”. Paltan is also called Blind Dolphin or Susu because of the sound it makes. It is one of the most endangered species in the world, with just over 1200 numbers surviving today.

It is very encouraging to note that to make this event a grand success, people of Bihar as and well as friends of Bihar have come out with open support through financial as well as kind contribution, and many of them are working day and night to strengthen the team. Many government departments including HRD (Education); Art, Youth & Culture; Health; Tourism; Rural Development; Police and Armed Forces, NCC and Red Cross Society have expressed solidarity & support to the event.

It is very encouraging to note that there is a tremendous excitement amongst youth and masses of Patna regarding their participation in this event. Various educational institutions of Bihar including govt. and private schools, colleges, NIT Patna, BIT Patna, NIFT and IIBM, Gyan Niketan have also extended their full support.