CM Rekha flags off Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta flagged off the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday morning, calling it a celebration of Delhi’s growing fitness culture and social inclusivity.

The marathon, covering a distance of 21.097 km, saw participation from more than 40,000 runners from India and abroad, reaffirming its place as one of the country’s premier road races. With a total prize purse of USD 2,60,000, the event brought together elite international and Indian athletes, turning the capital into a hub of energy and enthusiasm.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief Minister said, “Fitness and sports have now become an integral part of the lifestyle of Delhiites.” Expressing happiness over the growing participation of women, she added, “This year, there has been a remarkable increase in women’s participation, which is a positive indication of growing awareness and the movement towards equal opportunities in society.”

Greeting participants from the stage, she said, “The morning in Delhi today was full of energy and enthusiasm. Seeing the large participation of youth, especially women, in this half marathon fills one with pride. Such events help inculcate qualities like determination, discipline, team spirit and leadership among the youth.”

Appreciating the national fitness drive, she remarked, “The Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Fitness Movement is giving a new direction to public awareness about fitness and health across the country. The Delhi Government, with the resolve of ‘Healthy Delhi, Strong Delhi,’ is continuously working to provide every citizen of the Capital with a life full of health, energy and confidence.” Delhi’s Education Minister Ashish Sood and Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju also joined the event.

In the elite international category, Alex Matata of Kenya won the men’s title with a timing of 00:59:50, while Lilian Kasait Rengeruk, also from Kenya, claimed the women’s crown, finishing in 01:07:20. Among Indian runners, Abhishek Pal secured the top spot in the men’s category with a time of 01:04:17, marking his third Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon title, and Seema led the women’s Indian category, finishing in 01:11:23.

The Chief Minister described the marathon as a strong symbol of “fitness, discipline, and collective energy” in the national capital. Senior officials, sportspersons and dignitaries were also present. At the conclusion of the event, the Chief Minister felicitated the outstanding participants with medals and extended her best wishes for their bright future.