New Delhi: By 4.30am Sunday, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was already coming alive as runners began streaming in for Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) 2026. First-timers mingled with seasoned athletes, youngsters and senior citizens cheered each other on, and hundreds of persons with disabilities joined in the excitement. The mildly chilly morning added to the enthusiasm, with participants describing the weather as ideal for running.With over 41,000 participants, including more than 10,000 women, the event brought an infectious energy to the city, where it has become a fixture on the sporting calendar over the past 21 years.VDHM featured various race categories: the elite men’s and women’s half marathons (21.097km each), Half Marathon across six waves and Police Cup (21.097km), besides Champions with Disability and Senior Citizens’ Run (2.5km), Open 10K (10km), Corporate Run (5.3km) and Great Delhi Run (5.3km).For some runners, it’s also about the sights along the way. Spandan (26) has run several races, but the 21km at VDHM was a first for him. And the route won him over. “The best part is the route. You’re running right in front of India Gate. What an experience! It’s beautiful,” he said.Great Delhi Run was flagged off later in the morning by chief minister Rekha Gupta. “Delhi is feeling even more vibrant with Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon happening here, and there is no difference of community, no bar of age. I saw it myself today — older women, young girls, ladies of all ages running. Persons with disabilities were also running, and everyone is enjoying it,” Gupta said.She added that running had evolved beyond a sporting activity into a way of life. “India’s image gets built across the entire world, and people understand that in India, in Delhi, this has been accepted not as a sporting event, but as a community event.”Two-time Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the edition’s International Event Ambassador, was also present at the grandstand to cheer on participants.Union minister Kiren Rijiju drew parallels with Fit India Movement. “When Fit India Movement started, we wanted to create a buzz, a kind of movement, and today a movement has truly happened. VDHM is becoming a festive occasion for everyone every year, with thousands of people joining.” he said.Emphasising the wider benefits of sport, he added, “Sport is a spirit that everybody must imbibe, because it makes you positive. It brings fitness not only to your body but to your mind, and everything changes.”Among the participants was Nausheen Tareen, who completed the half marathon in two hours and six minutes. Having taken up running only last year, she said her fitness journey began after childbirth. “I had a baby about three years ago. So, postpartum, I explored various ways to get back to my best levels of fitness,” she said.Tareen praised the arrangements, particularly the hydration centres. “It was a fun race. Participation was packed, and people were running hard,” she said. Having seen the growing enthusiasm in her running group, she added that it was heartening to see running becoming an integral part of people’s lives.For Dr Deepak Chaudhary (65), vice-chairman and head of arthroscopy and sports medicine at BLK-Max Super Specialty Hospital, the race marked another milestone in his running journey. He completed the 21.1km course in two hours, 38 minutes and 27 seconds, just two years after undergoing joint knee replacement surgery for progressive arthritis. A marathoner since 2008, Chaudhary has completed more than 15 full marathons and 25 half marathons worldwide. Some participants also used the occasion to champion social causes. Pointing at her specially designed costume, Major Isha said, “My friends and I worked on it together. It took us 10 days, but why not use the opportunity to fulfil a purpose too? The message was to say no to drugs and show how women’s empowerment can build a stronger society.”Age was no barrier either. For 66-year-old Madhu Gupta, the inspiration came from her son, who had often shared stories of his experiences at the event. This year, she and her friends decided to find out what the excitement was all about rather than hear it second-hand. They were glad they did.This year’s edition also saw minor alterations to the half-marathon course, with Open 10K starting from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium instead of Sansad Marg. Extensive medical arrangements were in place, with 450 medical personnel, 14 medical stations and 12 ambulances deployed along the route.
