Mumbai: With the objective of promoting public health and physical fitness, CleoSportz, a joint venture of Cleonett and SportzPRO, will organise the first Federal Bank Kochi Marathon on May 1, 2023. The long-term objective of the marathon is to promote Kochi as a sports tourism destination.
Federal Bank Kochi Marathon, which includes 42.195KM full marathon, 21.097KM half marathon, 10 Km run and 3 Km green run, will be flagged off from Maharaja’s College Ground. Green Run will be a celebration run where the event promoters would invite colleges, schools, housing societies, women groups, corporate employee groups, NGOs etc to participate enmasse and suggest messages and themes for a Clean, Green and Safe Kerala. The best presentation will be rewarded with a prize. Registration for the marathon has opened. For online registration visit www.kochimarathon.in
The first edition of Kochi Marathon is unique with Federal Bank, one of the leading banks in India, as the title sponsor. Organised in association with Kerala Police, the marathon will pass through the most scenic paths in Kochi. Kerala High Court Judge Justice Devan Ramachandran released the logo of the marathon at a function held at Crowne Plaza Kochi. The Justice wished the marathon would be a solution to all the vices Kochi faces.
First bib of the marathon was handed over to KMRL MD Loknath Behra by Kochi City Police Commissioner K. Sethuraman. Ditrict Sports Council President P. V. Sreenijin MLA, Coast Guard DIG N. Ravi, Venkatraman Venkateswaran, Group President and CFO, Federal Bank; Chief Marketing Officer M.V.S. Murthy, Vice Presidents Ajith Kumar A, Suresh Kumar G and Ernakulam Press Club President Harikumar were also present on the occasion. Indian marathon record winner O.P. Jaisha, Gopi Thonakal, winner in Indian men’s category in Mumbai marathon 2023 and veteran runner Paul Padinjarekkara were felicitated on the occasion.
In order to make the marathon a grand success, CleoSportz will bring in the best partners including top brands, administrative bodies, NGOs, Kerala Police, students and runners. CleoSportz has roped in Golden Valley and NJUZE, two leading brands in Kerala, as the partners.
Venkatraman Venkateswaran, Group President and CFO, Federal Bank said, “It’s a matter of great pride for the Bank to be a partner for Federal Bank Kochi Marathon. The Bank strongly believes that Kochi’s rise as a prominent city with an emphasis on physical and mental well-being will be fuelled by the event.” He also expressed hope that the marathon will play a vital role in promoting health and wellbeing among Federal Bank employees and general citizens.
“Federal Bank Kochi Marathon will be a great initiative to showcase our efforts in the objective for a Clean, Green and Safe Kochi. We will provide all technical support to the event and make this event a hassle-free experience for the runners,” said K. Sethuraman IPS, IGP and Commissioner of Police, Kochi City.
“We are proud to organise Federal Bank Kochi Marathon and it is our privilege to welcome Federal Bank as the title sponsor. We will work in hands with Kerala Police and GCDA in developing and branding Kochi as a Sports-Tourism destination,” said Anish Paul, Sabari Nair and Byju Paul of CleoSportz. They added that the Federal Bank Kochi Marathon is a strong statement of a successful public-private partnership and is truly blessed to have the support of all entities and associations and the running community.
