Post Covid, Delhi Half Marathon back with a bang

NEW DELHI: Has the Covid-19 pandemic dampened your sporting spirit? Returning after a pandemic-induced break of one year, the Delhi Half Marathon is set to be flagged off on October 16 and promises sporting enthusiasts a conglomeration and celebration of the different hues of the national capital – strength, responsibility, pride, unity, passion and joy.
The seventh edition of the half marathon, which will be flagged off from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, is also donning a new identity this time – Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon.
The USD 268,000 prize money event boasts of providing a platform to India’s elite and amateurs to compete alongside the best athletes from across the world. With transformation for a sustainable future at the heart of its business operations, Vedanta’s #RunForZeroHunger is a mass movement to create awareness and ensure that no child goes to bed hungry.
Enthusiasts who wish to be a part of the event will be able to register for all the physical race categories, including the half marathon, Open 10K, Great Delhi Run (5 kilometres), Senior Citizens’ Run (3km) and Champions with Disability Run (3 km) between September 2 and October 4, or until spots are filled, whichever is earlier.
Through Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon Virtual Run, participants from anywhere in the world will also be able to experience the event, which is returning after a pandemic-induced gap of one year. They can participate through the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon app and have access to race categories like the half marathon, Open 10K and Great Delhi Run (5 km). Registrations for the virtual events will begin on September 2 and continue till October 11.
In a bid to encourage women’s participation, a limited number of running places will also be reserved for those applicants who are unable to submit a timing certificate or do not fall within the timings mentioned on the website, officials said.
Participants are also required to upload their vaccination certificates while applying for the race and only those who are fully vaccinated will be eligible for the event.
The event was launched on Thursday with eminent sporting personalities like Khel Ratna awardee Anju Bobby George, 2022 Commonwealth Games steeplechase silver medallist and half marathon national record holder Avinash Sable, world champion boxer Nikhat Zareen and former international cricketer Suresh Raina. Other sporting personalities like Olympian and former India hockey captain Sardara Singh, 2022 Commonwealth Games triple jump winner Eldhose Paul, para high jumper and Tokyo Paralympics bronze medallist Sharad Kumar, and boxer Vijender Singh were also present at the event.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, non-executive director, Vedanta Limited said, “We strongly believe that India’s rise will be fuelled by our strong and healthy countrymen. The prestigious half marathon celebrates the spirit of communities coming together for catalysing social impact. As part of our commitment to creating a malnutrition-free India, our “Nand Ghars” are working towards impacting the lives of seven crore children and two crore women across the country.”