Prayagraj: For the first time in nearly three decades, Indira Marathon will have a half-marathon alongside the traditional 42.195-km full marathon, giving both men and women runners an additional competitive category in this year’s event on Nov 19.The half-marathon, covering 21.0975 km, will start from Anand Bhawan shortly after the full marathon begins at 6.30 am. The event is being planned by the district and divisional sports promotion committee. The proposal has received consent from divisional commissioner Lokesh M and district magistrate Manish Verma, officials said.The half-marathon will carry a first prize of Rs 51,000, second prize of Rs 21,000 and third prize of Rs 11,000 in both the men’s and women’s categories. Runners finishing fourth, fifth and sixth will receive consolation prizes of Rs 5,100 each.The prize money for the full marathon will remain unchanged, with the winner receiving Rs 2 lakh, the runner-up Rs 1 lakh and the third-place finisher Rs 75,000 in both categories. Ten consolation prizes of Rs 1,000 each will also be awarded separately in the men’s and women’s categories.Acting regional sports officer Shiv Kumar Yadav said the sports department had already measured the proposed half-marathon route following approval from the divisional commissioner and district magistrate. A second meeting to review preparations will be held soon under the chairmanship of the district magistrate. The first meeting was held on Oct 30.The addition of the half-marathon marks a return to the event’s earlier format, when women runners competed over the shorter distance. Indira Marathon was launched in Prayagraj in 1985, with men competing in the full marathon while women ran 21 km. Swaroop Singh and Rachna Govil won the men’s and women’s titles respectively in the inaugural edition.The women’s half-marathon continued until 1995, when Neelamma L completed a hat-trick of victories. From 1996, women were also allowed to compete in the full marathon.The sports department later introduced 4-km and 8-km cross-country races alongside Indira Marathon in 2009. These events continued until 2020, with the shorter races catering to different age groups, including women and veteran runners. The revival of the 21.0975-km race is expected to restore an important element of the marathon’s earlier format while widening participation in the annual event held to mark former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary.