The Coorg Wellness Foundation, in association with Milind Soman, successfully conducted the World’s First Barefoot Marathon’s 4th Edition at Pollibetta Tata Sports Ground on Dec.2.

Cash price was awarded to only localities who live in Kodagu full time, and those who participated from outside/ non-residents of Kodagu, where given Kodagu produce like local rice, sponsored by Chendanda Aiyappa, local pepper sponsored by Cheppudira Brig Ponappa and coffee sponsored by Adengada Bharat.

It was a fund-raiser event and the proceeds will be utilised for long-term rehabilitation of the recent landslide victims.

Like every year, this year too it was a ZERO plastic event. Even stalls kept by associates of The Coorg Wellness Foundation like  Project Coorg, Cheshire Home and Coorg Wildlife Society ensured no plastic was given to buyers of their products.

Schools that participated in the run were Cheshire Home, DMP, Sai Shankar School and COPS.

Local Winners

42-kms (male): Jeethan – 1st place with Rs.42,000; M. Ganapathy  – 2nd place with Rs.25,000.

21-kms (female): Kavery – 1st with Rs.21,000.

21-kms (male): Vishwa – 1st with Rs.21,000; S. Mani – 2nd with Rs.15,000; Dhiren Machaiah – 3rd with Rs.10,000.

10-kms (female): Shyla Kottangada – 1st with Rs.10,000; Nisha – 2nd with Rs.5,000; Chaitra – 3rd with Rs.2,500.

10-kms (male): Madhu – 1st with Rs.10,000; Bojanna – 2nd with Rs.5,000; Bopanna – 3rd with Rs.2,500.

The attractive price money was keeping in mind the devastation Kodagu went through, the intention was to encourage more locals of Kodagu to benefit from this.

The next year date for The Barefoot Marathon Coorg Re-Connect, would be Dec.1, 2019, according to a press release from Cheppudira Nikki, Founder, The Coorg Wellness Foundation.