Procam International, the group that launched India’s famous distance‑running movement, threw a glittering 20‑year celebration for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on Oct. 10. The gala, called Breaking Barriers – A 20‑year Odyssey, brought together athletes, sponsors and celebrities in a night packed with sport, fashion and heartfelt moments.
The Delhi Half Marathon began in 2005 with a handful of runners. Today it draws more than 555,000 finishers each year and now boasts more than 9,000 women participants, a huge jump from just 85 at the start. The race now welcomes runners from 74 countries and has special categories for seniors and athletes with disabilities. Over its two decades, the event has raised ₹84.51 crore for charities, earning a reputation as one of India’s biggest fundraising platforms.
Sustainability is another win for the marathon. In 2024 it earned Zero Waste to Landfill certification, and the event alone produced a ₹369‑crore social and health impact. Procam International says the marathon is a “transformative movement” that breaks barriers and inspires social change.
The evening’s star moments included a fashion show on a runway in the Delhi Hotel, where legendary Olympian Carl Lewis walked the halls in a couture piece created by Delhi designer Sahil Kochhar. Lewis, dubbed the “Sportsman of the Century,” described the garment as a tribute to perseverance and the marathon’s 20‑year journey.
Other high‑profile guests shared the runway and stage. Para shooter Avani Lekhara, the youngest Indian to climb Everest named Kaamya Karthikeyan, former cricketer Atul Wassan, rally champion Gaurav Gill, and many more celebrated the marathon’s spirit of “breaking barriers.”
Sponsors and partners made plenty of appearances. Veer Vedanta’s Non‑Executive Director Priya Agarwal Hebbar spoke about community and the “Run for Zero Hunger” campaign, while IDFC First Bank’s Chief Marketing Officer Shreepad Shende highlighted the company’s focus on resilience and pushing limits. PUMA, Red Bull, and Le Meridien, key partners, were also on hand. Red‑Bull hosted an after‑party with music, gourmet food, and lively conversations, closing the night on high energy.
Anil Singh, Managing Director of Procam International, said the 20th year was “deeply emotional.” He thanked sponsors and the running community, calling the marathon’s legacy a shared one. “We started with a dream to host a world‑class sporting event in India, and it grew into a movement that broken barriers in sport, community and philanthropy,” he said.
The gala was more than a party; it was a showcase of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon’s impact and its promise to keep breaking boundaries. The event reaffirmed the marathon as India’s premier half‑marathon, adding another chapter to its two‑decade story of sport, empowerment and sustainability.
Source: aninews
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