Top boxers M C Mary Kom and Sarita Devi were among the star attractions as hundreds of people today took part in the 'Run for Northeast' as a prelude to next month's 12th South Asian Games to be held here and in Guwahati.
The Run, which also marked the arrival of the relay torch of the 12th SAG here, was flagged off by Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma. The event also coincided with the 44th Statehood Day of Meghalaya.
Sangma handed over the torch to London Olympics bronze medallist Mary Kom, who then took to the streets of Shillong to kick start the 5km Run, in which hundreds of people both young and old participated.
Mary Kom and her fellow Manipuri boxer Sarita were taking part in the women's boxing test event of the February 5-16 Games.
Former supermodel Milind Soman was also present on the occasion.
The Run, which was held to create awareness about the regional multi-sporting event as well as the contribution of Northeast in Indian sports, started from Fire Brigade Ground and culminated at Polo Ground.
Later, the players of I-League side Shillong Lajong Football Club presented a personalised team jersey to Mary Kom and wished her luck for the Games.
A similar Run will be held tomorrow in Guwahati which Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will flag off.
The 12th SAG will see more than 3000 athletes from eight countries competing in 23 disciplines in Guwahati and Shillong.
