Spirit of India Run by Mr. Pat
Farmer, an Ultra Marathon Runner from Australia
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 ‘Spirit of India Run’ by Mr.
Pat Farmer, an ultra Marathon Runner from Australia. Mr. Pat Farmer will run
over 4000 km in 60 days starting from Kanyakumari and finishing in Kashmir. He
will initiate his run on January 26th, 2016 celebrating India's Republic Day
and Australia Day.
Mr. 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 8 years as a Member of Australia’s Parliament, with 3 years as
Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Science and Training. Pat has raised
millions of dollars for worthy causes during his 20 year running career.
Mr. 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 endeavor is to raise funds for education of girl child.
‘Spirit of India Run’ by Mr. Pat Farmer is
also supported by Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Federation of
Hotels & Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI), Hotel Association of
India and Indian Heritage Hotels Association etc.
Mr. Pat Farmer proposes to run from Kanyakumari
to Srinagar and would be accompanied by a television crew which would cover the
entire run and prepare a documentary that would be screened multiple times on
Australia's TV Network. Mr. Farmer proposes to start the Run on January 26,
2016 and finish the run at Srinagar on March 30, 2016.
‘Spirit of India Run’ will commence in front of
Gandhi Mandapam, Kanyakumari at 0615 hrs. on January 26, 2016 and the Run will
be flagged off by the District Collector of Kanyakumari District.
Mr. Pat Farmer will run on an average 70-80 Km.,
daily through the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra,
Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir and
cover a distance of 4600 km.
