Christmas cake race in Mokokchung to mark 50th anniversary

MOKOKCHUNG — Christmas cake race, an inter-ward relay race competition in Mokokchung town, will celebrate its golden jubilee on December 23.

Addressing media persons on Wednesday, the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) and administrator of Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) and convenor of the organising committee, Chumlamo Huntsoe, informed that prizes for the winners would be doubled benefiting to the occasion. He added that the bakers’ union would provide 50 percent of the cake requirement.

He also informed that the celebration will be a single-use plastic-free event. Upholding the tradition, he stated that the race and fancy dress competition would be conducted on the theme “The visit of Magi.”

Chumlamo added that the 50th edition of the inter-wards cake race was supposed to be celebrated in 2021 but two editions were cancelled due to the pandemic. He informed that Mokokchung Municipal Council, district administration, All Wards Union, Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem, Bakery and Restaurants’ Association Mokokchung, Pick-up Truck Owners’ Association Mokokchung, Mokokchung District Athletics Association would jointly host the event.

The event would start at 7 am on December 23 at the main town square, where Sharingain Longkumer, Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, would be the guest of honour.

A total of 11 participants including nine male and 2 female runners each from 18 wards would participate in the event. The rally race would cover a distance of approximately 5 km.

It may be mentioned here that the Seasonal Club first organised the Christmas cake race in 1971 and has been held every year since, except for a couple of times.

M Bendangnukshi Longkumer, Seasonal Club members, informed that the club would sponsore the first prize which is 15 pound cake, while Ladies Club Mokokchung would sponsor the second prize 12 pound cake and third prize by MMC superintendent.

He informed that Supong Longkumer (Mascot) would be the lead escort with his vintage motorbike, which was the lead escort for the racers during the inception of Christmas cake race in the 1970s. He also informed that Seasonal Club second generation members (G2) would sponsor Santa Claus costumes.

Chumlamo also informed that prizes would be also given to the best maintained wards. The committee is headed by SDO (civil) along with members from civil societies.