Rotary Bangalore IT Corridor Announces IX Edition of SBI Bengaluru Midnight Marathon

World No.1 Saina Nehwal addressing the gathering on Wednesday

Rotary Bangalore IT Corridor today announced the IX edition of the only midnight marathon in India, the ‘SBI Bengaluru Midnight Marathon 2015’ (BMM) which represents the vision, vigour and vibrancies of the beloved and inspiring city. The marathon will be held on December 5, 2015 at the Karnataka Trade Promotion Organization (KTPO) venue in Whitefield. Youth Icon Saina Nehwal unveiled the theme “Run for happy Bengaluru” capturing the aspiration to create a healthy, fit and clean Bengaluru. More than 12,000 participants from professional and amateur runners, international athletes, are expected to run this year which will be flagged off by Brand Ambassador Padma Shri Milkha Singh and Guest of Honour, Padma Bhushan Mary Kom.

This year, Bengaluru Midnight Marathon has received recognition and become a Member of Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS-IAAF). AIMS is a member based organization of more than 380 of the world’s leading distance races, from over 100 countries & territories and they work with IAAF on all matters relating to international races. The IAAF acts as a world governing authority for a competition programme, for standardised technical equipment and for a list of official world records. The AIMS- IAAF certification has put BMM on the world map for internationally recognized marathons.

BMM is the main fundraising event of Rotary Bangalore IT Corridor, and the President of year 2015-16, Nitesh Shah highlighted the various charity projects that the Trust has fulfilled last year and is working towards in the coming year. Activities include: Supporting five government schools to improve infrastructure, science & computer labs; provide potable drinking water sources; upgrade toilet facilities; set up a libraries and train teachers to better instruction to the students; adoption of village on the outskirts of Bangalore for “integrated village development” that will involve interventions in the areas of healthcare, education, water, sanitation livelihood and skill development; running medical camps, sponsoring deserving youths among many others. Contributions were also used to support a bridge school at Nallurhalli Village for underprivileged children from the surrounding area. Funds raised from BMM 2015 will be used to spearhead health, education, infrastructure, social welfare and rural enlistment projects with strong focus on Child and Women’s Development.

The online registrations for the individual events of BMM 2015 is open and participants can register online by logging onto www.midnightmarathon.in. The key events on December 5 – 6, 2015 will include IT City Fun Run, Women’s 10k Run, Target Open 10k Run, Half Marathon and Full Marathon. A CXO Run for corporate leaders of Bengaluru and the star draw, Pet-a-thon will be held on 15 November and 29 November 2015, respectively.

Rocking bands, stalls with mouth-watering delicacies, flea markets selling curio items from across the country will entertain visitors and runners alike through the night.

The key partners associated with the SBI BMM 2015 include State Bank of India (SBI) as the title sponsor, Target Corporation as the Open 10K Run Sponsor, Sakra World Hospital as the Healthcare Partner, Airbus as the Corporate Relay Sponsor, Nambiar Builders as CXO Power Mile Sponsor, Carewel as the Half Marathon Sponsor, DELL as Technology Partner, Ola Cabs as the Transportation Partner, Bisleri / Urzza as Beverages Partner, Fever 104 FM as Radio Partner and KTPO as the Venue Partner.