Hyderabad Marathon's 15th edition: 26,500 runners, inclusive run, tribal youth take centre stage
The 15th edition of the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon concluded on Sunday, bringing together over 26,500 runners across multiple categories. The event, held over the weekend, featured the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and a newly introduced Inclusive Run.
The main races — Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K — were held on Sunday, while the 5K and Inclusive Run were conducted on Saturday. According to organisers, approximately 11,000 runners participated in the full and half marathons and elite categories, with nearly 9,000 taking part in the 10K. The 5K and Inclusive Run together attracted around 6,500 participants.
The participation numbers underscore the marathon's widespread appeal. From professional athletes seeking competitive success to amateur runners taking part for personal achievement, the event attracts a diverse range of entrants. The introduction of the Inclusive Run further broadens its reach.
In the elite full marathon, Ethiopia's Emane Seifu emerged as the women's winner. Among Indian runners, Nirmaben Thakor was the leading woman finisher. The elite races also witnessed strong performances from athletes from Ethiopia, Kenya and India.
One of the defining features of this year's marathon was the Inclusive Run, organised in association with the Adventures Beyond Barriers Foundation. Around 300 differently-abled participants took part, including 205 persons with disabilities, 37 wheelchair runners from the Telangana and Bengaluru Wheelchair Cricket teams, 14 participants with dwarfism from Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad, visually challenged runners, and others with disabilities. The initiative marks a significant step towards making sports more accessible and inclusive.
The Inclusive Run not only provided a platform for differently-abled athletes to compete but also sent a broader message about the importance of accessibility in public events. It serves as a reminder that sports can be a powerful tool for social integration.
Another highlight was the participation of 184 tribal youth from Chhattisgarh, where NMDC operates mining projects. These runners, selected from villages and remote areas, took part in different categories of the marathon for the first time. Their presence underscores the importance of bringing underrepresented communities into the fold of mainstream sporting events.
The tribal youth's participation is part of a wider effort to make marathon events more diverse. It offers young people from remote areas a rare opportunity to experience a major sporting event and interact with athletes from different backgrounds.
The marathon continued its tradition of charitable giving. Organisers said the event supports 40 NGOs and has raised more than ₹2 crore for various charitable organisations through the years. This philanthropic aspect has been a consistent feature of the Hyderabad Marathon.
Prize money was awarded to the top six finishers in the elite categories. The winner received ₹3 lakh, with ₹2.5 lakh for second place and ₹2 lakh for third. The fourth, fifth and sixth-placed runners received ₹1.5 lakh, ₹1 lakh and ₹75,000, respectively.
Looking ahead, the organisers have set a target of making the Hyderabad Marathon carbon-neutral within the next three years. As part of this effort, 35% of runners opted out of receiving T-shirts, and the use of flex cut-outs was reduced. These steps reflect a growing awareness of environmental sustainability in large-scale sporting events.
Since its inception, the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon has grown into one of the key events on India's running calendar, attracting both elite athletes and amateur enthusiasts. The 15th edition, with its Inclusive Run and tribal youth participation, highlights the event's evolving role as a platform for social and environmental causes.
