Uran girl Neelam Rajput tops state cross-country race

NAVI MUMBAI: Five local athletes managed to enter the top ten winners' list in their respective categories at the recently held 48th Maharashtra State Cross Country Championship in Ambernath.
The event was organized by Thane District Athletics Association and Ambernath Kala Krida Bharati and had 550 athletes from 24 districts taking part.
Champion long distance runner Neelam Rajput of Uran was the toast of the day after she finished first in the women's open event.Rajput clocked 28.03 minutes to lift the gold medal in 8km section. Her practice partner Heena Mali had to be content with a silver medal in under-20 girls' group for 6km course with a timing of 22.30 minutes.
For ace runner Prakash Dhasade, it was a dismal day, as he finished 10th in the men's open 12.5km race by clocking 39.07 minutes.
"The competition was very tough and despite my best effort, I could only get the 10th position," said Dhasade. Vishakha Dhabol managed seventh spot in the under-16 girls' group with an elapsed time of 12.10 minutes for 3km run.
Bidan Das also got the 10th position while taking part in under-16 boys' group to complete the 3km race in 10.12 minutes.