Pavendra and Nimesha win marathon titles

National Youth Meet women’s marathon winners: Nimesha Dharshani (centre) seals victory, accompanied by runner-Up Kumudu Kumari (right) and third-place finisher Arumugam Anusha (left)

Pavendra Ramesh of Colombo District and Nimesha Dharshani from Moneragala District emerged as the champions in the Marathon event of the 34th National Youth Sports Festival, organized by the National Youth Services Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs yesterday.

Ramesh, displaying remarkable endurance and speed, clinched the gold medal in the Men’s category by completing the grueling 42-kilometer race in an impressive time of two hours, fifty minutes, and seven seconds. The marathon kicked off from the Maharagama Youth Centre and circled back to the same starting point at Meepe on the Highlevel Road.

In a closely contested battle, Dhanushka Ratnayake from Badulla District secured the second position with a time of 2:54.57, earning the silver medal, while the bronze medal went to Tharusha Akalanka of Colombo District, who crossed the finish line in 3:02.17.

Meanwhile, in the Women’s Category, Nimesha Dharshani exhibited her prowess by winning the gold medal, completing the challenging 21-kilometer race in a time of one hour, twenty-five minutes, and fifty-five seconds.

The women’s marathon began at the Maharagama Youth Centre, followed the Highlevel Road, and concluded after turning at Homagama Kandalanda Saw Mill, retracing the route back to the Maharagama Youth Centre. Kumudu Kumari from Kandy District secured the silver medal in the Women’s Category, clocking an impressive time of 1:28.03.

Arumugam Anusha from Nuwara Eliya District claimed the third spot, earning the bronze medal with a time of 1:29.46.

The National Youth Sports Festival, featuring various other sporting events, is set to continue from September 16 to 19 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

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