Independence Day Run in Kandy

by Upananda Jayasundera - Kandy Sports Special Corr.

The Kandy Municipal Sports Department is organising its annual Independence Day Road Race for the 42nd year on 4th of February 2013, commencing at 8 am starting opposite the Kandy Town Hall. The finishing point is also opposite Town Hall. The distance is 12 kilometres.

The race was inaugurated in 1971 and limited to the Kandy North Area Play grounds and Community Centre Members only. Later on, it was extended to Kandy Central and South Municipal Area Community Centres and play ground members. The inaugural race was started by the then Mayor of Kandy, the late Tilak Ratnayake. D.H. De Silva was the Commissioner of the Municipal Council, Kandy and Dr. D.S. Athureliya, Head of Sports Department. This race is already extended to the Schools, Clubs and women individually. The first three winners will be awarded cash prizes along with trophies and certificates. Altogether over 300 runners will be participating at this event.

As a mark of respect to the late Sanjeewa Hulangamuwa, (MMC) who was the head of the sports committee of the Kandy Municipal Council, two minute silence will be observed before the commencement of the race. Mayor of Kandy Mahendra Ratwatta and Deputy Mayor, Sena Dissanayake, Opposition Leader, Niranjan Wijeratne and Chandana Tennekoon, Municipal Commissioner will distribute the prizes.