The Delhi Half Marathon is gearing up for another exciting race on October 12, and runners can count on a talented group of pacers to keep things smooth and motivating. Leading the way are dedicated runners from Delhi NCR, including busy executives and fitness enthusiasts who will guide thousands through the 21K and 10K distances. These pacers help participants stay on pace, boost their confidence, and finish strong—often making all the difference for first-timers.
Pacers aren’t just fast runners; they act like friendly coaches on the course. They set a steady rhythm to avoid burnout, cheer everyone along, and ensure no one falls behind. Many come from demanding jobs, like corporate leaders, but they carve out time to support the running community, according to organizers.
Delhi NCR shines with standout pacers such as Karandeep Singh leading the 1:55 bus, Sanjay Chhabra at 2:00, Vineet Agarwal and Sanjeev Meghani both at 2:15, Hriday Punjani at 2:20, and Rashmi Mohanty at 2:25. They’ll team up with others from cities like Indore, Mumbai, Patiala, Bengaluru, and Erode to create an inspiring vibe for all.
Take Karandeep Singh, the Chief Technology Officer at IndiGo Airlines. He’s paced races across India for years and knows the drill. "The role of a pacer is very important, especially in a fast run like the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon," he says. For many runners tackling this distance or time goal for the first time, sticking to the pacer’s strategy is key. Start too quick, and you might not finish. Singh maps out every kilometer to help runners hit their targets without shortcuts.
Beyond race day, Singh promotes a bigger picture on fitness. As an IT pro, he’s always started running groups at work to get colleagues moving—from walking to jogging. His advice for new runners? "Run for yourself, for your fitness, and for the joy of running—not just for timing. Train slowly, build gradually, and enjoy the process."
Adding to the excitement, the 10K race will feature an all-women pacer team—a big win for inclusivity. Twelve women from Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Darjeeling, Jaipur, Lucknow, and even Jammu and Kashmir will lead the way, blending endurance and encouragement to keep everyone motivated.
Shivani Verma, a marathoner, former teacher, and mom of two from Gurugram, leads the 55-minute group. She calls pacing a real thrill: "You have a goal to achieve while helping co-runners reach theirs. The confidence runners put in a pacer is immense—like someone aiming to shave five minutes off their time from 60 to 55. It’s a responsible job: Start comfortable, pick up speed midway, boost morale, and finish strong."
Verma also celebrates the rise of women in running. "It’s encouraging to see more women running today than when the Delhi Half Marathon started 20 years ago," she notes. As the heart of many households, a fit woman inspires her family, community, city, and nation. "Stronger women will make for a stronger nation."
These pacers show that running is all about teamwork, motivation, and healthier communities. By guiding runners to the finish line with pride and joy, they’ll make the 2025 Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon unforgettable.
For the full lineup:
Half Marathon Pacers:
Karandeep Singh (Delhi, 1:55); Sukanto Roy (Mumbai, 1:57); Fabian Clement Gonsalves (Mumbai, 1:58); Saurabh Jain (Indore, 1:59); Sanjay Chhabra (Delhi, 2:00); Hussain Mohammed Patel (Erode, 2:05); Aayush Goyal (Patiala, 2:10); Vineet Agarwal (Gurugram, 2:15); Sanjeev Meghani (Delhi, 2:15); Hriday Punjani (Gurugram, 2:20); Rashmi Mohanty (Gurugram, 2:25); Thandeswaran Periyasamy (Bengaluru, 2:30).
10K Pacers:
Shivani Verma (Gurugram, 55 min); Dickey Palzom Bhutia (Darjeeling, 58 min); Aarti Bardhan (Delhi, 59 min); Sayeeda Khizar (Mumbai, 60 min); Capt. Asmita Handa (Delhi, 60 min); Dr. Pallavi Vengurlekar (Delhi, 65 min); Amanjyot Sharma (Delhi, 70 min); Shweta Mittal (J&K, 70 min); Riya Kakkad (Delhi, 75 min); Abhilasha Haver (Jaipur, 75 min); Sangeeta Shiledar (Gurugram, 80 min); Meenal Dwivedi Tripathi (Lucknow, 85 min).
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