PUNE: As part of its Platinum Jubilee celebrations, INS Shivaji, Lonavla, conducted an Ultra-Marathon (Platinum Jubilee Run) of 75 km to commemorate 75 years of the premier technical training establishment of the Indian Navy.

The race was flagged off by Cmde Ravnish Seth, Station Commander Lonavla and Commanding Officer INS Shivaji at 9 pm on December 21. A total of 29 runners including civilian and service personnel participated in the unique ultra-marathon which touched four forts namely Lohagad, Tikona, Tung and Korigad of the great Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj through the picturesque Sahyadri ranges. 

Naik Navin Hooda from Bombay Sappers, Khadki, Pune emerged the winner under male open category with a timing of 7 hours 3 minutes and the lone female runner Ashwani Bhat emerged victorious in the female category with a timing of 8 hours 45 minutes.

In addition, races in 5 km, 10 km, 21 km and 32 km were also held on December 22 wherein more than 1,800 runners from Pune, Mumbai and Lonavla participated, besides service and defence civilian personnel and their family members. Maj DP Singh (retd), a Kargil War hero, who is also known as India’s Blade Runner, was the ‘Race Ambassador’. He also participated in 10 km race.

Meenal Seth, President, NWWA, Naval Station Lonavla flagged off the 5 km race. The event was organised in association with #RUNBURN and supported by Lonavla Municipal Council, Maharashtra State Police, Police Training Centre Khandala, Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute and Aamby Valley City.