20th Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon Set to Welcome 40,000+ Runners on 12 October 2025
New Delhi, 16 September 2025: The 20th edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, promoted by Procam International, is set to bring together over 40,000 runners from across the globe on Sunday, 12 October 2025, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. With registrations oversubscribed across all categories, this milestone edition promises to be a spectacular celebration of Delhi’s sporting spirit and resilience.
Widely regarded as the world’s most prestigious half marathon, the event offers a prize purse of USD 260,000, drawing elite international and Indian athletes to the capital.
Run for a Cause: #RunForZeroHunger
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd. and Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd., emphasized the impact of the event’s social initiative:
“As we celebrate the 20th edition, the #RunForZeroHunger movement is stronger than ever. Over the past three years, your participation has helped provide 17 million meals. This year, every kilometre run will provide a Poshan Pack to children and animals, with a goal of delivering 5 million packs. Let’s come together to nourish India’s future.”
Partners in Progress
Shreepad Shende, Chief Marketing Officer, IDFC FIRST Bank, drew a powerful parallel between running and financial discipline:
“Just like marathons, financial wellbeing requires planning and perseverance. As title partners, we’re proud to support this celebration of resilience, purpose, and progress.”
Indian Elite Ready to Shine
The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon continues to be a premier platform for India’s elite athletes, who will race alongside international champions. To mark the landmark edition, Indian athletes will compete for a special performance bonus of INR 2 lakhs for setting a new event record, and USD 2,000 for a sub-60-minute finish.
Leading the women’s field is PUMA athlete Sanjivani Jadhav, who clocked a personal best of 32:22.77 at the 2024 Portland Track Festival. A former Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon champion (2018, 2022), Sanjivani also bagged silver in the 5,000m at the 2025 Senior Nationals and gold at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru.
Joining her are defending champion Lili Das and 2023 gold medallist Kavita Yadav, promising a thrilling contest on race day.
The men’s race at the 20th Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon is set for a blockbuster clash between Asian Games medallist and national record holder Gulveer Singh and the in-form Abhishek Pal, winner of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2025 and double gold medallist at the 2025 National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships.
Gulveer Singh, making his debut at the event, is eyeing history:
“The competition here is intense and the course is excellent. My goal is the national half marathon record, and I’m in great shape to go for it.”
Abhishek Pal, the 2023 champion, is focused on consistency and speed:
“This year has been strong for me, and the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon is the perfect stage to close it. My preparation has been solid, and I’m targeting my timing — each race brings me closer to breaking the 60-minute barrier. It’s about self-improvement as much as competition.”
On the women’s side, PUMA athlete and defending champion Lili Das anticipates a fiercely competitive field with the likes of Sanjivani Jadhav and Ankita Jani joining the race:
“These rivalries are crucial — they push us to dig deeper, perform better, and elevate the standard of women’s distance running in India.”
Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2025 Champions Sustainability, Inclusion, and Innovation
As it celebrates its landmark 20th edition, the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) 2025 is setting a new benchmark—not just for athletic excellence, but for sustainability, community engagement, and inclusive experiences.
Setting the Pace for Sustainability
VDHM 2025 continues its commitment to the planet with a Zero Waste to Landfill approach. In collaboration with NDMC, Hasiru Dala Innovations, and Chintan, the event ensures:
- Responsible waste segregation and management
- Composting of organic waste
- Plastic-free race kits
- Surplus food redistribution to underserved communities
- Reuse of leftover water for green spaces
- Promotion of low-carbon transport through e-autos and dedicated bicycle parking
Environmental partnerships with NGOs further promote biodiversity and eco-awareness.
At the Expo, a Shoe Donation Drive collects gently used footwear for those in need—underscoring how sport can inspire positive social and environmental change.
Run in Costume: A Nostalgic Twist
The Run in Costume Contest, part of the Great Delhi Run, invites participants to dress as their favourite cartoon characters—from Chhota Bheem and Shinchan to Doraemon and Scooby-Doo. Runners can participate solo or in groups and stand a chance to win cash prizes and exclusive merchandise by sharing how these characters shaped their childhood dreams.
Pacers to Guide Personal Bests
Renowned as a PB (Personal Best) race, VDHM 2025 will feature 24 pacers across events:
- 12 pacers in the Half Marathon
- An all-women pacer squad for the Open 10K
These expert runners will help participants stay on pace and achieve their timing goals.
Global Participation via Virtual Run
Runners from around the world can be part of the celebration through the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon Virtual Run. Participants can register via the official app for:
- Half Marathon (21.097 km)
- Open 10K
- Great Delhi Run (5 km)
Registration Deadline: 11:59 PM, Monday, 6 October 2025, or until spots fill.
👉 Register now: https://vedantadelhihalfmarathon.procam.in
A Celebration of Scale and Spirit
Vivek Singh, Joint Managing Director, Procam International, shared:
“As we gear up for this milestone edition, it’s humbling to witness 40,000+ participants from India and abroad coming together in celebration of sport. This journey has been fuelled by the passion of elite and amateur runners alike. The presence of Indian stars like Gulveer Singh, Sanjivani Jadhav, Kavita Yadav, and Lili Das is truly inspiring for the next generation.”
“Our partners—especially Vedanta and IDFC FIRST Bank—have elevated this event to global standards. We’re also thrilled to welcome Red Bull on board, whose fresh initiatives promise to energize this landmark year. Finally, the unwavering support of the Government of Delhi and the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, has solidified VDHM’s place among the world’s premier distance running events.”
