Kohima, 5th October 2026 (Nokinketer News): Around 3,000 runners from across Nagaland participated in the State-Level Half Marathon organised by the 78 Battalion CRPF (Sechü-Zubza) in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Government of Nagaland at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, on October 5.
Held under the banner ‘SPANDAN’, the event featured three age categories for both men and women.
Nagaland DGP Rupin Sharma, IPS, who attended the event as Chief Guest, described the marathon as a unique platform for promoting sports and youth development. He said the participation of around 3,000 runners demonstrated the growing interest in long-distance running in the state.
The DGP urged SAI to identify promising athletes and provide them with proper training, coaching and sponsorship to enable them to compete at national and international levels. He also expressed hope that the event would become a regular feature in Nagaland.
Commandant of 78 Bn CRPF, Deven Bhosle, said SPANDAN—Sports for Peace and Development Across Nations—is a SAI initiative aimed at promoting physical fitness, youth engagement, national integration and social harmony through community sports.
Cash prizes of ₹30,000, ₹20,000, ₹15,000 and ₹10,000 were awarded to the top positions, while runners-up placed from fifth to tenth received ₹5,000 each, along with medals.
Winners in the three age categories were:
- Men, 18–below 30: Shiangjiu, Elanthung and Temjensanen.
- Women, 18–below 30: Songmo, Chongso and Tsumian.
- Men, 30–below 45: Jonathan Yezenthung and Banglo Konyak.
- Women, 30–below 45: Cekrotalu, Sentinaro and Tiapenla Amer.
- Men, above 45: N. Pichong, Shipemo and W.R. Joseph.
- Women, above 45: T. Roslyn Lotha, Vilhousieno and Mezo Nenio.
