Nilambur: Taking thousands of spectators by storm, the `Vandipoottu' (mud-race of vehicles) was held at the Varikkal paddy fields near Karulayi on Sunday.

Nilambur MLA Aryadan Shoukath inaugurated the competition, organised jointly by the Nilambur Tourism Organisation and Wild Wheels Adventure Club, by riding a jeep through the fields. Mujeeb Devassery presided over the inaugural function. Among those who spoke were Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi District Vice President Vinod P Menon, Club General Secretary Yasir, Karulayi Panchayat Vice-President T Suresh Babu, ward member KP Naseer, Forest Range Officer PK Mujeeb Rahman, Muhammad Koya Kadavath, Hidayath Chulliyil, Suresh Kammah and Habeeb Rahman.

Panchayat President Jayashree Ancheriyan distributed prizes to the winners. Over 40 participants from different districts across Malabar competed in the race. The event was organised as a prelude to the Tourism Conclave scheduled in Nilambur in October.

Latheef Pokkootoor won first prize in the race while Ajo George, Kozhikode, finished runner-up. Ajishad Pookkottumpadam finished in third place.

Women take centre stage
Women racers emerged as the stars of the mud-race event. Pottammal Ayisha Muhammad of Kuruvattoor in Kozhikode and Manju Sunil of Thamarassery shone with remarkable performance. Ayisha, known for her service as an ambulance driver during the pandemic, participated in the race for the first time.

Manju, along with her husband Sunil and son Sanjay, a student at Vimaljyothi Engineering College in Chemberi, also took part. The trio are members of the Thamarassery KL 11 Off-Roaders Club.

Racing smoothly through the mud, Manju and Ayisha won the applause of the crowd. The organisers felicitated them with special prizes. Agnus, daughter of AP Biju Paul, a tourism society office-bearer, gained attention as the navigator for her father. Biju Paul is the principal of Erumamunda Nirmala HSS, while Agnus is a medical student in Georgia.