PANJIM: En route from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, ultra marathon runner from Australia, Pat Farmer who has undertaken the Spirit of India Run is all set to step in Goa on February 8.
Goa Tourism along with other multiple departments have made elaborate arrangements for the Australian runner during his visit to the State next week.
Farmer, who initiated the run since January 26, 2016 will enter Goa in the wee hours and will exit on February 9 after running 72 km from Pollem to Velagar (Maharashtra).
Farmer’s Spirit of India Run is aimed at cementing relations between India and Australia; encourage tourism and personal relationships with a view to create awareness of India as a ‘Must Experience’ destination for travellers from Australia and support causes and charity which in the current endeavour is to raise funds for education of the girl child.
The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India along with State Tourism Departments of the States of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territory of Chandigarh are supporting the Spirit of India Run supported by Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI), Hotel Association of India, Indian Heritage Hotels Association, etc.
Several interaction sessions have been organized between Farmer and students at Canacona and Margao. A special programme has been organized at Ravindra Bhavan, Fatorda. Several sportspersons, athletes and volunteers from Goa will accompany Farmer during his run in the State. School children will also cheer Farmer along the route and all security and medical facilities have been put in place to ensure Farmer’s run is a grand success.
The Director of Tourism, Sanjeev Gauns Dessai said, “It is a great privilege to have Pat Farmer in Goa and his mission will inspire the youth and sportsmen and women in the State. We wish Farmer a comfortable run through Goa and all the way to Kashmir. His run is for a charitable cause and students should gather in large numbers to cheer Farmer.”
He further said, “We have made all arrangements for a grand welcome at Pollem and programmes at Canacona and Margao and we invite the general public to come in large numbers.”
Farmer is a multiple World record holder for endurance running and has run from the North Pole to the South Pole and across Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, the Middle East and North America. He has served as a Member of Australia’s Parliament, with three years as Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Science and Training.
