The Varsha Marathon, organised by the Thane Municipal Corporation, entered its 31st year today with an overwhelming response from residents. The event was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who was joined by Thane MP Naresh Mhaske and the Thane Municipal Commissioner. Shinde flagged off the 21 km main marathon, which saw hundreds of runners take to the streets, filling Thane with energy and excitement.

A video of Shinde himself running in the marathon has since gone viral on social media.

Assurance of Funds for Players and Sports Infrastructure

Addressing the crowd before the marathon, Shinde praised the event’s spirit, describing it as a reflection of youth energy. He assured that there will be no shortage of funds for players or stadiums, citing the ₹23 crore and ₹8 crore already allocated for Thane Stadium renovations.

“We have to run for the city, the state, and the country,” he said, adding that Thane’s development includes initiatives like urban forests and organic farming.

Metro Trial Run in September; Focus on Green Cover

Shinde also announced that the Thane metro’s trial run will begin in September, with full operations expected by year-end. He revealed that the internal metro project for Thane has received approval and emphasised the government’s focus on increasing the city’s green cover.

“We plant one lakh saplings every year. This year, we have already planted 1.5 lakh and our target is 2 lakh,” he said.

Encouraging Athletes to Aim for the Olympics

Shinde paid tribute to former MP Satish Pradhan, recalling his contribution to the marathon’s growth. He reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting sports, inspired by the Khelo India initiative.

“We want Thane’s name to shine at the Olympics. Run for health, run for the city, state, and country,” he concluded.