Organisers set May 1 date for 1st Federal Bank Kochi Marathon

Federal Bank Kochi Marathon logo

MUMBAI: A full marathon at the height of summer will serve the "objective of promoting public health and physical fitness"? 

That is precisely the pitch being made by CleoSportz, a joint venture of Cleonett and SportzPRO, which has announced the first Federal Bank Kochi Marathon on May 1. 

The stated long-term objective of the marathon is to "promote Kochi as a sports tourism destination".  

Federal Bank Kochi Marathon, which includes 42.195KM full marathon, 21.097KM half marathon, 10 Km run and 3 Km green run, will be flagged off from Maharaja’s College Ground. Green Run will be a celebration run where the event promoters would invite colleges, schools, housing societies, women groups, corporate employee groups, NGOs etc to participate enmasse and suggest messages and themes for a Clean, Green and Safe Kerala. The best presentation will be rewarded with a prize. 

The first edition of Kochi Marathon has Federal Bank as title sponsor. Organised in association with Kerala Police, the marathon will pass through the most scenic paths in Kochi.

Kerala High Court Judge Justice Devan Ramachandran released the logo of the marathon at a function held at Crowne Plaza Kochi. 

From the get-go as it were, CleoSportz has roped in Golden Valley and NJUZE, two leading brands in Kerala, as partners.  

Venkatraman Venkateswaran, Group president and CFO, Federal Bank, said, “It’s a matter of great pride for the Bank to be a partner for Federal Bank Kochi Marathon. The bank strongly believes that Kochi’s rise as a prominent city with an emphasis on physical and mental well-being will be fuelled by the event.” He also expressed hope that the marathon will play a vital role in promoting health and wellbeing among Federal Bank employees and general citizens.”

“Federal Bank Kochi Marathon will be a great initiative to showcase our efforts in the objective for a Clean, Green and Safe Kochi. We will provide all technical support to the event and make this event a hassle-free experience for the runners,” said K. Sethuraman IPS, IGP and Commissioner of Police, Kochi City.

“We are proud to organise Federal Bank Kochi Marathon and it is our privilege to welcome Federal Bank as the title sponsor. We will work hand in hand with Kerala Police and GCDA in developing and branding Kochi as a Sports-Tourism destination,” said Anish Paul, Sabari Nair and Byju Paul of CleoSportz. They added that the Federal Bank Kochi Marathon is a strong statement of a successful public-private partnership and is truly blessed to have the support of all entities and associations and the running community.