Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon Celebrates Community Spirit and Health
A Successful 10th Edition of the Marathon
The 10th edition of the Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon (VPCHM) wrapped up on Sunday, highlighting an impressive display of community engagement and resilience. Nearly 15,000 runners took part in the event, supporting Vedanta's #RunForZeroHunger initiative, which successfully raised 1 lakh Poshan Packs for children at Nand Ghars. This flagship social impact project aims to ensure a nourished and healthy future for children by transforming anganwadis throughout India. The marathon, organized by AnyBody Can Run (ABCR) and backed by Vedanta, was inaugurated in Jaipur by Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director of Vedanta Ltd and Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Ltd, alongside Harmanpreet Kaur, Captain of the World Cup-winning Indian Women's Cricket Team and International Brand Ambassador for VPCHM 2025.
A Movement for Healthier Communities
Priya Agarwal Hebbar remarked, "The Pink City Half Marathon transcends being merely a sporting event; it has transformed into a people's movement aimed at fostering a healthier India. Each step taken by every participant contributes to nourishing a child. With over 10,000 Nand Ghars already operational across 16 states, we are dedicated to our vision of transforming all 13.7 lakh Anganwadis in the nation. Our goal is to ensure that every child and woman in India has access to nutrition, education, and opportunities."
Harnessing Sports for Positive Impact
Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her admiration for the event, stating, "It is uplifting to witness thousands running not just for fitness, but for a cause that impacts the lives of children at Nand Ghars across India. When sports serve as a catalyst for good, their impact is magnified. I am honored to participate in the Pink City Half Marathon and support the #RunForZeroHunger initiative."
Race Categories and Notable Winners
The marathon included three distinct categories: the 21 km Half Marathon for professional athletes, the 10 km Cool Run for intermediate runners, and the 5 km Dream Run for beginners and families. The winners expressed their pride and gratitude for completing the race with impressive times. Notable winners included Bablu Sisodiya (21 km Male Category), Ujaala (21 km Female Category), Pawan Kumar (10 km Male Category), and Saloni (10 km Female Category), all of whom found the Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon to be a memorable and inspiring experience.
From experienced athletes to first-time participants, every finisher crossed the finish line with a sense of accomplishment, making this edition a true celebration of determination and achievement.
Promoting Social Change Through Sport
In the lead-up to the main event, mini-marathons were held in Jaipur and Barmer. Indian sprint athlete Sufiya Sufi also supported the #RunForZeroHunger initiative. This marathon exemplifies the potential of participative sports to drive social change, where each runner plays a role in building a better future.
Distinctive Zinc-Crafted Medals
Every participant received a finisher's medal made from zinc sourced from Rajasthan's Zawar Mines, produced by Hindustan Zinc Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta.