The Delhi Half Marathon, currently branded as Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, considered among India’s most prestigious marathons, took place on October 15, 2023. The event, considered among the fastest half-marathon routes in India, witnessed the participation of elite runners and fitness enthusiasts. Eliud Kipchoge, probably the best marathoner of all time, competed in this foot race.
A total of 36,194 runners congregated at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the Janpath Tolstoy Marg Junction for the 18th annual Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday, joining together to run for a good cause in the national capital. Tens of thousands of amateur athletes competed on one of the fastest courses in the world with Olympic winners and Indian elite competitors. The top 10 finishers in both the men’s and women’s divisions, as well as the International Elite champions, shared the prize money of ₹22 lakhs.
At the Delhi Half Marathon 2023 on Sunday, Abhishek Pal and Kavita Yadav took home the gold medals in the elite Indian men’s and women’s divisions, respectively. In the international category, the winners of the women’s and men’s elite races were Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia and Daniel Ebenyo of Kenya, who clocked 59 minutes, 27 seconds. The finishers’ medals were made of premium zinc from the Zawar Mines in Udaipur, one of the biggest and oldest mines in the world.
Another highlight of the two-day event was the Mirchi Get Active Expo 2023, which took place on October 12-13. All competitors picked up their running number bibs from the expo in the run-up to the Half Marathon.
The expo provided a remarkable platform for various brands related to the health, fitness, and food industry to showcase their range of products and engage with a diverse audience. The expo witnessed massive crowds at several booths, including Steadfast Nutrition- India’s fastest-growing premium nutrition and wellness brand, Skechers, Puma Nitro, Cadbury Fuse, Hamdard Private Ltd, and Garmin, amongst others.
Steadfast Nutrition created waves and pulled crowds like never before! The brand set up an enticing booth where visitors were able to try Steadfast’s high-quality health products, allowing attendees to experience the benefits firsthand. This sampling initiative was met with great enthusiasm and provided an excellent opportunity for runners to learn about the benefits of the Steadfast product line.
The brand also distributed freebies, including t-shirts, creating a buzz and attracting a large crowd to their booth.
At the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2023, senior citizens defied their age with gusto. An impressive 716 participants joined the senior citizen run, covering a distance of approximately 2.5 km.
Among the participants in the Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday were 315 individuals with disabilities, all completing the 2.5 km run within their respective categories. A brave 51-year-old runner from Meerut was one of them. A former civil engineer, he faced a life-altering event in 2002 when a severe electric shock left him paralysed and reliant on a wheelchair. However, this setback didn’t dampen his spirit. “For the past three years, I’ve been a part of the Delhi marathon, and it’s my source of happiness,” shared the warrior with a radiant smile.
In a bid to raise public consciousness and encourage collaboration, a dedicated team from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) enthusiastically participated in the Delhi Half Marathon, demonstrating their commitment to a noble cause. This team, consisting of 25 members hailing from diverse regions of India and holding different positions within the RPF hierarchy, truly represented the nationwide essence of the organisation. Notably, the team featured four women RPF personnel from Punjab, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, acting as prominent figures of RPF Narishakti. During the marathon, RPF members actively engaged with the public along the route, showcasing banners and distributing informational pamphlets to emphasise the importance of women’s safety on railways and garner support from all stakeholders to strengthen this vital cause.
The marathon wasn’t just a demonstration of physical endurance – it was a meaningful step towards addressing a critical problem — hunger. The event effectively contributed to this cause through the impactful campaign known as #RunForZeroHunger, resulting in the provision of 5 million meals for children facing food insecurity.
