CMD Upendrra Rai Leads Soldierathon 2026 As Key Face Of Mega Patriotic Run

The national capital is today witnessing a remarkable blend of patriotism, fitness, and social commitment as the PNB Soldierathon – ‘Run with Soldiers, Run for Soldiers’ unfolds at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

At the centre of this mega event is Upendrra Rai, CMD and Editor-in-Chief of Bharat Express, who is not only participating but also playing a leading role in flagging off the run, highlighting the importance of the collective national spirit.

He joins VK Singh and Ashok Chandra, strengthening the event’s stature as a premier marathon.

The Soldierathon goes beyond a race, honouring the courage and sacrifice of India’s armed forces, with CMD Upendra Rai leading its message.

Over 26,000 participants have registered, with numbers still rising as soldiers and civilians run together in unity.

Organisers arrange extensive facilities, including lakhs of water bottles, while Bharat Express streams the event live from the stadium and India Gate.

Retired Major Surendra Poonia founded the initiative under APJ Abdul Kalam’s guidance, later supported by Bipin Rawat and now mentored by VK Singh, with Shilpa Bhagat expanding it nationwide.

The event continues to grow across cities like Sikkim, Raipur, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Delhi, raising funds for injured soldiers’ treatment and rehabilitation.

The Race Expo at Thyagaraj Stadium hosts kit distribution, interactions, and activities, while the ‘Runners Wall’ displays all 26,741 names with ‘Rukna Mana Hai’.

Over 1,500 NCC volunteers and 900+ armed forces personnel support the event, and runners travel free on the Delhi Metro.

Today’s schedule includes the half-marathon at 5 AM, 10 km at 6 AM, and 5 km at 7 AM.

Aligned with PM Narendra Modi’s Fit India Movement, the Soldierathon promotes fitness and national pride, with CMD Upendrra Rai leading from the front.

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