Sports

Record 30,000 Runners Set To Compete In New Delhi Marathon Sunday

More than 30,000 participants will line up for the 11th edition of the New Delhi Marathon on Sunday, making it one of the largest road races staged in the country.

Leading Indian distance runners such as Anish Thapa, Belliyappa, Man Singh and Gopi T will spearhead the elite field.

The event has drawn competitors from 31 nations, 490 cities and 32 States and Union Territories.

Organisers will conduct four race categories: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K.

The scale and diversity underline its growing international stature.

Olympic medallist boxer Vijender Singh and Olympian tennis star Rohan Bopanna will flag off the race at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The course will guide runners through the historic avenues of New Delhi.

The Athletics Federation of India has certified the race as a National Marathon.

The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races and World Athletics have also recognised it, strengthening its global credibility.

The Indian elite contingent includes Anish Thapa, Belliyappa, Man Singh, Gopi T, Dr Karthik, Akshay Saini, Bhagirathi Bisht, Nirmaben Thakor Bharatjee, Ashwini Madan Jadhav, Disket Dolma and Stanzin Dolkar.

The marathon will also serve as a qualifying event for the forthcoming Asian Games, offering athletes a gateway to international competition.

Organisers will host around 20 vision-impaired runners, reinforcing the event’s inclusive ethos.

The marathon has raised ₹10 lakh for the Athletics Federation of India to support its Junior Development Programmes and strengthen grassroots athletics.

Race Director Nagaraj Adiga described the event as a celebration of endurance and unity.

AFI Treasurer Stanley Jones emphasised its role in identifying elite talent.

Rajesh Varrier of Cognizant highlighted the race’s Asian prominence.

Rajat Khurana of ASICS reiterated the commitment to nurturing India’s evolving running culture.

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Pragati Upadhyay

I report stories and occasionally rescue facts from chaos. By profession, I’m a journalist; by conviction, a social worker who believes words should move people, not just headlines. I question power, celebrate ordinary heroes, and sometimes irritate the comfortable. If truth had a shift, I’d probably be working overtime.