Gul Panag and Sanjay Srinivas launch Indias first 12 city marathon

Dec. 26, 2011 - PRLog -- "I Love My Mother Earth" Foundation (ILMME) announced an initiative - ' THE JOY RUN' to be held on 19th February 2012 in association with actor and champion of social causes Gul Panag's SOAP (Social Outreach Accreditation Program).

At the press conference to launch the same, Gul Panag, who had just returned from a vacation in Africa said "I run four times a week; and its the best thing to keep fit."

The Joy Run" is a not-for-profit run - it gives hundreds of NGOs across India an opportunity to promote their causes and also engage corporate support through a relatively easier 10km run. The funds raised will be used to promote the cause of education and better health among the underprivileged children.

Sanjay Srinivas, the principal organiser of " The JOY RUN, 2012' , says " The twelve cities where the run is to be conducted include Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Chandigarh and Amritsar. The first of its kind, this effort will add more cities across India with every passing year. By 2016, "The Joy Run" will take place simultaneously in various countries."

Why the need for another marathon. "The Mumbai and Delhi marathons are already iconic properties and the number of people who want to participate but are not able to is huge. The Joy Run, will make the joy of running more pervasive and accessible across the country."

The interesting difference between 'THE JOY RUN' and other global marathons is that its not a 'pure sports event'. Its not about setting records; this marathon is for every citizen who has the mindset to support any social cause close to his heart.

PARTNERS

Every city will run to highlight and spread awareness about one medical condition like Cervical Cancer, Obesity, Hypertension that are current and relevant. Seven hills hospital is the medical partner. The Joy Run has a tie up with wishberry.in that will bring in NGOs such as Pratham by Nandan Nilekani. The Joy Run will contribute to the 'Grand Banyan Project', a project by ILMME in which used notebooks are collected from the affluent children, recycled, new notebooks made and distributed to the underprivileged schoolchildren. MTHR will mobilize corporates to participate in the run while IMS will engage college participation as volunteers and NGOs.

ABOUT ILMME

"I Love My Mother Earth" Foundation is an organization dedicated towards spreading knowledge, conducting research, increasing awareness and inspiring action in the area of conservation of the planet. It is committed to creating conservation efforts of the ultimate standards resulting in highest impact and everlasting change. It is a non - profit body registered with the Charities Commissioner under the Public Trust Act of India.

Visit www.ilmme.org to know more about ILMME's work.