Former Australian MP gets rousing welcome in Goa while on marathon run through India

PANAJI: Pat Farmer, 53, a former Australian member of Parliament (MP) was cheered by school children in Goa, who lined the roads on Monday to watch the ultra-marathon runner undertake his 4,600km ‘Spirit of India’ journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.
Farmer clocked 80km for the day, having entered Goa from Karnataka earlier on Monday and halted his journey in Cuncolim, Salcete.Farmer received a traditional Goan reception at the Goa border itself, the Pollem checkpost, where sports minister Ramesh Tawadkar welcomed the Australian marathon runner with floral greetings, cheering contingents and a brass band.
At the end of the day’s schedule, Farmer got another felicitation at the Ravindra Bhavan in Margao, where a function was organized by the Goa tourism department, department of sports, Sports authority of Goa, India tourism and various sports organizations.
The event was also attended by fisheries minister Avertano Furtado, a former sportsperson himself. “Pat Farmer is an inspiration for the children of Goa and if he can run 4,600km within India, so can our young children,” he said.
Responding to the felicitation he received, Farmer said, “India is incredible and Goa a beautiful state. India is a shining example to the world, and my run in India is to show the world, how people care for each other in this country”.
On Tuesday, Farmer will continue on his run through north Goa, and enter the state of Maharashtra. Farmer began his journey on India’s Republic Day which coincides with Australia Day – January 26. He will cover a distance of over 4,600 km in 60 days. The marathon run will include 12 states and pass through Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Ajmer, Jaipur, Agra, New Delhi, and Chandigarh before culminating in Srinagar. Farmer aims to promote bilateral ties and tourism besides aiding a charity for education of the girl child.