Are  the roads of Vasai and Virar safe for marathons runners? Going by what Sunday mid-day gathered less than 24 hours before the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVMC) marathon’s Sunday kick off, they don’t appear so. Paver blocks covered with tar and uneven patches  have rendered the roads dangerous.

Ankush Padawale, who will run the half marathon today, said the organisers are not bothered about the safety of the runners. “I went to collect my bib in Virar on Thursday and there was some work being done on the road. I noticed they have not relaid the road, but just put tar over the existing one. This can be dangerous to any athlete. They can injure their ankle, lose balance, clash against each other and even fall,” Padawale, who is also a coach for marathon runners, said.