Kochi: The second edition of ‘Kochi Duskathon’, just over a week away, is receiving warm response as the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and other organisers are aiming a record number of barefoot runners in the one-of-its kind sunset beach run.
“As on Friday, the registrations have touched 1,300 mark. The current record for the largest barefoot race involved 1,330 participants and was achieved by Wisdom Sports Group (China) at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China on April 15. Duskathon 2019 will make an attempt to break the existing Guinness World Record of the Largest Barefoot Race,” said Santosh Thayyil, Director of Santos King, a tourism agency assigned by the DTPC for organising the event.
The registrations are still open and the DTPC aims a participation of 3,000 runners including 600 foreign tourists for the event to be held on April 14 in the 10-km Kuzhuppilly- Cherai beach section.
The inaugural ‘Kochi Duskathon 2018’ edition saw a participation of 1,200 runners.
“The event will promote Beach and Adventure tourism in Ernakulam district and also highlight the importance of maintaining one‘s health and benefits of running to the general public. The destinations too will become popular and witness more tourist arrivals in future,” said S. Vijayakumar, DTPC secretary.
“We’re also trying to pitch in the tourism aspect in the whole event by providing a night stay on an optional basis in the most exotic ambience of Cherai. DJ will be part of the event and beach games will be conducted. Safety precautions have been taken care of with provisions of ambulance services and volunteers appointed at every check point to oversee the race,” he added.
