The Business Bytes
New Delhi, September 26, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Registrations for the World’s most prestigious Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) are in full swing. The World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, with a prize money of USD 260,000, will be flagged off from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday, October 20. Top athletes from around the globe will join India’s finest and amateur runners will vie for glory in the #AaRangDeDilli spirit.
Ugandan sensation Joshua Cheptegei and Kenya’s former Half-Marathon World record holder Peres Jepchirchir are all set to light up the streets of Delhi!
Joshua is the current world record holder for both the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters and holds the world’s best time over the 15-kilometer distance. He is the reigning Olympic champion in the 10,000 meters and won the gold with a new Olympic record of 26:43.14. Joshua is also a three-time World champion in the 10,000 meters and claimed gold in both the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. Notably, Cheptegei is only the tenth man in history to simultaneously hold the 5000 meter and 10,000 meter world records, both of which he set in 2020.
Interestingly, Cheptegei made his international debut in India at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2014, finishing second. His return to India for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon promises to be a highlight of this year’s race.
Speaking about his return to India Joshua said, “This country holds a special place in my heart, as it’s where I made my international debut in 2014. It’s been a good season for me, and I am certainly looking at a course-record timing at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. The energy and passion of the Indian running community are truly inspiring, and I’m excited to be part of this prestigious event.”
Kenya’s former Half-Marathon World record holder and three-time world half-marathon winner Peres Jepchirchir will lead the women’s contingent. Peres won the London Marathon 2024 with a time of 2:16:16 secs, breaking the women’s only Marathon world record. She also won the 2021 New York City and 2022 Boston Marathons.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc & Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Limited, said, “The Vedanta family is absolutely delighted to welcome the incredible Olympic and World Champion Joshua Cheptegei to the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2024. With his remarkable achievements and unstoppable spirit, we are certain that Joshua’s presence will spark a wave of inspiration, encouraging even more people to hit the track and run for a cause closest to our hearts – Run for Zero Hunger. Together, we can race towards a healthier, malnutrition-free India!”
Naarayan TV, CMO, IDFC FIRST Bank, Said, “IDFC FIRST Bank is thrilled to be the Associate Sponsor of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon for the third consecutive year. This association reflects the bank’s commitment to promoting physical & financial well-being. We continue with our marathon theme of #JourneyToTheStart, motivating people to take their first step towards a better life. Every runner who completes their respective run within a stipulated time period will be eligible for a specially designed IDFC FIRST Bank Runner’s Tee. So, here’s to #AaRangDeDilli!
Among the other notable participants, PUMA athlete and Asian Championship Bronze Medallist Sanjivani Jadhav stands out in the women’s category. Sanjivani, who won the 10,000 meters Portland Track Festival in the USA with a personal best of 32:22:77, recently claimed a silver medal at the 5000 meters event at the National Open Athletics Championships in Bangalore. She has previously won gold at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon in 2018 and 2022 and took silver in 2016 and 2020. Defending champion Kavita Yadav will provide Sanjivani with tough competition in pursuing the title.
“This will be my third Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, and my aim will be to win this race once again. I have been training hard and I will try my best to break and create as many records as I can,” said Sanjivani Jadhav.
In the men’s category, Defending Champion and talented youngster Abhishek Pal, who recently won the 10,000 meters title in the National Open Athletics Championships 2024 in Bangalore, will take the lead. He will face tough competition from another youngster, PUMA athlete, and Asian Games 2023 silver medallist in the 10,000 meters, Kartik Kumar. He recently triumphed at the 10,000 meters USA Championship Track Fest 2024 with a remarkable time of 28:07:66. Kartik is also the VDHM 2022 and 2023 editions silver medallist.
“I am aiming to break the national record in what will be my fifth Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. I have won the competition, but while I aim once again, my mind is set on breaking the national record and going under 60 minutes,” said the defending champion Abhishek Pal.
Registrations for the Half Marathon and 10K registrations are oversubscribed. Limited spots are now available in the Great Delhi Run (approx 4.5km), the Senior Citizens’ Run, and the Champions with Disability Run (approx 2.5km). Entries for these race categories will remain open until 11:59 PM on Friday, October 4, 2024, or until spots are filled.
Participants from anywhere in the world can experience the magic of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon and run as one with the event, via the exclusive Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon app. The virtual race categories are the Half Marathon, Open 10K, and the Great Delhi Run (5 km). Registration will stay open until 11:59 PM on Friday, October 11, 2024, or until running places are filled, whichever is earlier.
Register now at: https://vedantadelhihalfmarathon.procam.in/
PUMA, known as the Fastest Sports Brand in the World, continues its long-standing partnership with the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. In addition to the race day tee for all registered half marathon participants, PUMA will also present a special finisher tee to the top overall 1500 finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories of the 10K race.
Commenting on the launch of the Finishers Tee, Shreya Sachdev, Associate Director & Head of Marketing at PUMA India, said, “The most-anticipated tradition at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon event every year is the launch of the Finisher Tee. As homage to Delhi’s vibrant and colourful spirit, PUMA this year has crafted two finisher tees to celebrate the participating runners and stand as a symbol of their success at the upcoming race.”
Shreya added, “We are proud to be long-standing partners of Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, and we are confident that the city will witness yet another spectacular event this year. We wish the runners best of luck.”
The Hydration Partner, Bisleri, has launched limited-edition bottles featuring three top Indian Elite athletes – Defending Champion Kavita Yadav, Abhishek Pal and Kartik Kumar, the Asian Games 2023 silver medallist in the 10,000 meters.
For the convenience and benefit of all participants, the city’s lifeline, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced special services for event day. The metro services will begin from 3 a.m. onwards from all terminal stations (except AirPort Express Line & Grey Line) with a headway of 30 minutes to help the half marathon participants reach early to the start line at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon will offer free travel to all Half Marathon participants.
Meanwhile, all other participants can reach their respective start lines at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Sansad Marg using the DMRC services on race day. They can purchase tickets through the DMRC Travel App before reaching the station or through their NCMC cards.
Vivek Singh, Jt. MD, Procam International, said: “The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon stands as the crowning jewel of our capital, and every stakeholder is working tirelessly to elevate this event to new heights—creating an unforgettable experience that showcases Delhi’s vibrant spirit to the world #AaRangDeDilli. The event has truly put India on the global map of running and having participation from running royalty like Joshua Cheptegei and Peres Jepchirchir is a testament to the global stature of the event. On Sunday, 20th October Delhi will shine as we come together for a better tomorrow.”
