From Kanyakumari to Kashmir: Australian marathoner running for girls' education reaches Phagwara

A 54-year-old Australian ultra- marathon runner who is undertaking a Kanyakumari-to-Kashmir run to raise funds for the education of Indian girls and strengthening ties between the two countries, reached Phagwara on Sunday.

Phagwara administration accorded a warm welcome to Patrick Farmer as he arrived at his latest stop on his 4,600-km 'Spirit of India Run-2016' run. The run, Farmer said, is aimed at promoting ties between India and Australia and encouraging tourism and people-to- people contact. He also aims to create awareness about India as a "must experience" destination for travellers from Australia.

Farmer said he is also raising funds for the cause of the education of the girlchild with this run, which began in Kanyakumari on January 26 -- celebrated as Republic Day in India and Australia Day in his country -- and will end in Srinagar on March 30.