Imphal, February 21, 2010: O SANATON and S Premila have won the IVth Manipur Mega Marathon in both men's and women's category, organised by the United People's Front (UPF) today. The marathon was flagged off this morning by the president of Manipur Olympic Association, Bijoy Koijam at the Khuman Lampak main stadium.

O Sanaton, a resident of Oinam Mamang Leikai in Bishnupur district, won the 21 km-long half marathon that passed through various main roads of Imphal in men's category.

O Sanaton reached the destination in one hour, five minute and 48 seconds (1:05:48). Sh Premjit of Manipur Police (1:10:28) and M Samananda of SAI-RC (1:11:20) bagged the second and the third places respectively.

T Dharmendra of Keikol Mamang Leikai (1:11:39)� fourth position, Sh Lokendro Sharma of SAI (1:12:02)�Fifth, L Chinglen Angom of SAI (1:12:25)�sixth, Raimi Hungyo of Poirou village (1:12:50)�seventh, Th Angou of Patsoi (1:13:01)�eigth, Th Santosh of Touthong Apheiba Lamshang (1:13:10)�ninth and W Monoranjan of Araorou Mamang Leikai won the tenth position in the men's category.

Likewise in the women's category, S Premila of SAI clocked 1:20.01 to clinch the first prize.

Ch Sonia of SAI (1:24:50) got the second and N Ibemcha of HYC (1:25.26) won the third.

O Surbala of AMESCO was the fourth, S Ibethoi-fifth, N Sunanda of SAI-sixth, Ksh Renuka of SCK-seventh, LD Neitihoi Chiru of SAI SAG-eigth, Sh Sarjubala-ninth and N Nanao won the tenth position.

The winner in men's category, Oinam Sanaton is said to be an atheletic player of Army Signal Centre, Jabalpur.

He won the second position in last year's edition of the Manipur Mega Marathon.

Interestingly, he won the first position in the half marathon held on December 19 last at Jabalpur.

Later talking to this reporter, O Sanaton said, the competitiveness in this marathon is quite low.

In last year's marathon, he ran neck to neck with Sanjit Luwang making it keenly competitive and very interesting.

However, in today's race, there was no companion near him.

It was a lonely race which lacked fun, Sanaton said.

Sagolshem Premila, the winner of women's category, hails from Yairipok Kekru Mamang Leikai.

She is a promising athlete, who won last year's 3rd Manipur Mega Marathon too.

She had won the second place in the first two edition of the Manipur Mega Marathon.

At present Premila is training at the SAI Centre of Excellence, Imphal.

She had to be satisfied with the sixth position in the Indian Leg of Bombay Marathon held last year.

She is presently training for the Sunfeast World Championship to be held in Bangalore on May 10 this year.

Chairman of Manitron, Dr Kh Ratankumar, president of UPF Manipur, YK Dhiren, MLA M Prithviraj, principal of National Sports Academy, L Ajit and Member of Manipr Human Rights Commission, Ng Nongyai were chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively at the prize distribution ceremony.

A souvenir was also released on the occasion.

Both winners of men's and women's categories received prize money of Rs 30,000 each.

The second prize winners received Rs 20,000 each while the third prize winners got Rs 15,000 each.

The consolation prize winners from fourth to tenth position were given Rs 2,000 and a citation each.

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