Marathons and their role in bringing about a running revolution in India

"On the other end of the spectrum, if you talk about elite athletes, the world's best come here. They have  not just inspired the common, they've inspired our elite athletes. Vedanta Delhi half marathon gave our elite athletes the opportunity to run shoulder to shoulder with the world's best in their own backyard. And the results are for all to see, 29 medals in athletics

in the Asian Games, from athletics alone. So when an event can encompass both ends of the spectrum, then it's truly participative sport," he added.

Marathon in India arguably gained its first shot to stardom through the one held in every third Sunday of January, which started off in 2004. The half marathon concept creates a newer pathway for amateurs to take part in the proceedings. 21.0975 km is exactly half the distance of a full marathon, and the Delhi chapter of the event has multiple categories like Open 10K, Great Delhi Run, Virtual Run, amongst others.

"That's the beauty of participative sport. You can't buy a ticket and come and show up with a friend on the start line. It takes two, three, four months of sacrifice. Waking up an hour earlier, having one less helping of food, maybe one less drink. It's the commitment you make for two, three, four months before an event like this that changes the way you are. And that is the lifestyle that people have started making choices to make themselves healthier, fitter, to go for their personal best or just to enjoy their run," Vivek said.

He added, "But they are making choices months earlier. They're changing their lives. Women, when a woman takes to running, it's so heartening because she decides usually what goes on the table. Now she's making better choices of food. She's making choices of what to eat and not to eat. One woman can make a whole family, can change the entire health of a family."

Gradually, these events are coming together to bring about a running revolution in India. As of 2022, there are nearly two million registered runners and 1600 timed events across the country, helping take the rather recreational sport to greater heights within the country.

The journey that kicked off with the Mumbai Marathon in 2004 has gradually spread its wings and is helping open up opportunities for anyone willing to try their luck in the sport. Vivek hailed the transformative impact of the initiatives, as he quipped, "So from maybe two or three events in 2004, when we launched the first edition of the Mumbai Marathon to 1579 events approximately today, it's nothing but a running revolution across the four corners of our country."