The 7th Vasai-Virar Mayors Marathon, to be run on December 10, was announced yesterday. One of the more heartening aspects of the run was that three young athletes from Palghar district were selected to be supported and nurtured by a corporate sponsor. Their diet, training and kitting will be taken care of for a year, following which they will be assessed, and on the basis of their performance, the assistance will continue.

As the running boom, fuelled largely by the popularity of the Mumbai marathon, has reached a crest, this is a stellar initiative and a happy sign that other marathons are now fertile ground to support causes.