<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">The ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Dhaka Marathon-2023' was held in memory of the father of the nation under supervision of Bangladesh Army in the capital on Friday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>A total of 2,163 runners from home and abroad took part in several categories including full and half marathon that started from Bashundhara International Convention Centre at 5.30am and ended at the Kanchhan Bridge.</div><div><br></div><div>Of them, 832 local runners competed in the full marathon and 1,550 in the half marathon.</div><div><br></div><div>Kenyan Stanley Kiprotich Bet won in the full marathon of the male division while Ethiopian Basaking Imochi Bilo in the female division.</div><div><br></div><div>In the half marathon, Moroccan Abdul Aziz Baghazi secured the first position and Ugandan Rispa Cherop.</div><div><br></div><div>At the closing ceremony, Bangladesh Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed hoped that the marathon will play a role in creating social and health awareness from all walks of people in society.</div><div><br></div><div>He expressed his determination to organise the marathon in January every year in the memory of Bangabandhu’s Homecoming.</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the chief patron of the marathon while the army head was the chief advisor.</div><div><br></div><div>Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal inaugurated the opening ceremony as the chief guest with State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell as the special guest.</div><div>After the race, Army Chief Shafiuddin handed over the prizes to the winners. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>