Excitement builds up as Goa awaits Aus marathoner Pat
BLURB - En route from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, ultra marathon runner from Australia, Pat Farmer who has undertaken the Spirit of India Run is all set to step into Goa on February 8.
PANAJI
En route from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, ultra marathon runner from Australia, Pat Farmer who has undertaken the Spirit of India Run is all set to step into Goa on February 8.
The excitement has built up here in Goa to welcome Pat Farmer, and Goa Tourism along with other multiple departments have made elaborate arrangements for the Australian runner during his visit to the State next week.
Farmer who initiated the run since January 26 will enter Goa in the wee hours of February 8 and will exit on February 9 after running 72 kms from Pollem to Velagar (Maharashtra).
Farmer’s Spirit of India Run is aimed at cementing relations between India and Australia; encourage tourism and personal relationships with a view to create awareness of India as a ‘Must Experience’ destination for travellers from Australia; and support causes and charity which in the current endeavour is to raise funds for education of the girl child.
The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India along with State Tourism Departments of the States of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territory of Chandigarh are supporting Spirit of India Run by Farmer.
Spirit of India Run is also being supported by Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Federation of Hotels & Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI), Hotel Association of India, Indian Heritage Hotels Association, etc.
Several interaction sessions have been organised between Pat Farmer and students at Canacona and Margao. A special programme has been organised at Ravindra Bhavan, Fatorda. Several sports persons, athletes, and volunteers from Goa will accompany Farmer during his run in the State. School children will also cheer Farmer along the running route and all security and medical facilities have been put in place to ensure that Farmer’s run through Goa is a grand success.
The Director of Tourism, Sanjeev C Gauns Dessai said, “ It is a great privilege to have Pat Farmer in Goa and his mission will inspire the youth and sportsmen and women of the State. We wish Farmer a comfortable run through Goa and all the way to Kashmir. His run is for a charitable cause and students in the State should gather in large numbers to cheer Farmer.”
