KANNUR: Buoyed by the thumping success of the maiden Kannur Beach Run (KBR) last year, North Malabar Chamber of Commerce (NMCC) has come up with its second edition. KBR-2 will be held on February 12 at Payyambalam beach. The purpose is to showcase the tourism potential of Kannur and make it an annual destination on the tourism calendar. “Kannur welcomes an outsider advertising it as the ‘City of Lores and Looms.’ It should be changed to ‘Lores, Looms and the great beach run’,” says A.K Rafeek, KBR’s convenor.
Last year, more than 500 participants, including from Kenya, Dubai and Australia participated in the event and this time, the expectation is double the number will participate. “Many Kannurites settled in various countries will come down for the event. Running along the picturesque beach of Payyambalam will expose the untapped Kannur to the world,” hopes Mr Rafeek. Like the previous year, the run will be in two categories, 10 km run and 3 km fun run.
NMCC office bearers say that they have received feedback from health conscious people over the joy of running at Payyambalam. “Many started jogging seriously after the first edition of KBR. City residents prefer Payyambalam for running,” said NMCC vice president Mathew Samuel. The professional agency which oversaw the technical side of the Mumbai Marathon is being roped in for KBR also. The District Promotion Council and many private parties are associated with the venture.
