Arignar Anna Cycling Race Held in Coimbatore; School Students Pedal with Sporting Spirit

Coimbatore: District-level Arignar Anna Bicycle Races were conducted near Nehru Stadium on Saturday to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai.

The races were organised by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) across all district headquarters in the State. The Coimbatore event commenced at 7 a.m. from Nehru Stadium, with a large number of school students participating in separate categories for boys and girls.

The competition was conducted in three age categories – Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17. Students born on or after January 1, 2013, were eligible for the Under-13 category, those born on or after January 1, 2011, for Under-15, and those born on or after January 1, 2009, for Under-17.

The boys competed over distances of 15 km, 20 km and 20 km in the three categories, respectively, while the girls covered 10 km, 15 km and 15 km.

The winners in each category were awarded cash prizes of Rs. 5,000, Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 2,000 for the first, second and third places, respectively. Participants securing fourth to tenth places were also eligible for cash prizes of Rs. 250 each. Certificates were also presented to the winners.