Nagpur athletes Nikhil, Jyoti reign supreme in Half Marathon

NAGPUR: Nikhil Shende and Jyoti Chavhan emerged champions in the state-level half marathon 'Surajya Daud', organized by Bouddha Magasvargiya Seva Sanstha under the auspices of Maharashtra Athletics Association and Nagpur District Athletics Association on Sunday.
Shende clocked 1:09:18 in the men's 21-km run. Nav Maharashtra Krida Mandal athlete and junior national gold medallist Nagraj Khursane (1:10:05) and Gondia's Arvind Kumar Yadav (1:10:40) followed Shende.
In the women's category, Jyoti overcame stiff challenge from seasoned campaigners to clinch the crown with a timing of 1:21:18. Rohini Raut, a student of DNC College, had to be satisfied with runner-up spot (1: 22:11). Sneha Borkar of Nagpur City Athletic Club, Sheetal Bhagat and Rashmi Gurnule did well but could not stop Jyoti.
Sandesh Shebe and Geeta Chanderkar won the U-18 boys and girls district-level races. Prajwal Sabal and Pragati Rakhade bagged the honours in the U-14 section.