Tiwari, Neha clinch titles

There were several degrees of difficulties — the morning rain, submerged roads full of potholes and, above all, the flowing traffic. But GC Tiwari of the Air Force brushed aside all the challenges en route to winning the 12-km Madhavrao Scindia Udbhav mini-marathon.

More than the means, the end mattered to the unsung hero. Not only did he go on to win the Rs 20,000 purse but also a warm handshake from the legendary Milkha Singh, chief guest at the function. “It was worth all the trouble,” he said. Tiwari, bunched in the group comprising Ashok Kumar Yadav and Om Prakash Yadav of the CRPF, led to begin with, but increased the lead towards the end to romp home with a comfortable margin. Ashok and Om Prakash finished behind him in that order. In the girls’ section, Neha Agarwal emerged winner while Shashi Saroj and Chandraprabha came second and third respectively.