Miles, Minds and a Greener Tomorrow: 20,000+ Runners Power the 8th Manipal Marathon
Manipal, February 10, 2025: Manipal turned into a vibrant arena of endurance, energy and collective purpose as more than 20,000 participants took part in the 8th edition of the Manipal Marathon, organised by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) at KMC Greens on Sunday.
One of India’s largest student-led community fitness events, the marathon drew runners from across the country and beyond, including over 100 international athletes from more than 10 countries, competing across multiple categories for a prize pool exceeding ₹25 lakh.
This year’s marathon ran with a purpose beyond the finish line. Anchored around the theme “Miles for a Greener Tomorrow – Run for a Sustainable Future,” the event echoed MAHE’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship. Sustainability initiatives such as tree plantation, biodiversity conservation, solar energy use, waste management, rainwater harvesting and sustainable mobility were woven into the event’s ethos, extending its impact beyond the campus and into the wider community.
Addressing the gathering, Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, said the overwhelming participation reflected the institution’s vision of holistic development.
“What began as a student initiative has grown into one of India’s largest community fitness movements. By bringing together over 20,000 runners, we are promoting not just physical wellness, but also environmental responsibility and community engagement,” he said.
Adding to the marathon’s growing global stature, international runners from Dubai, England, Ethiopia, Germany, Kenya, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the USA competed with enthusiasm, lending the event a vibrant, multicultural character.
For many runners, the standout experience remained the scenic beachside route of the 42K marathon, widely praised for offering a rare blend of challenge and tranquillity. The newly introduced 10K route, which passed through the Manipal Hospice Respite Centre (MHRC), reinforced the marathon’s emphasis on social impact and inclusivity.
The event was attended by senior MAHE leadership, including Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M D Venkatesh (Retd.), Vice Chancellor; Dr Sharath Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences); Dr Dilip G. Naik, Pro Vice Chancellor (Mangalore Campus); Dr Anand Venugopal, Chief Operating Officer (Operations); and Dr Gopalakrishna Prabhu, Vice Chancellor, Sikkim Manipal University, among others.
Reflecting MAHE’s focus on equity and access, the marathon featured dedicated categories for differently abled and visually challenged runners, with age-wise classifications, drawing strong participation and applause from spectators.
Winners across the 42K, 21K, 10K and 5K categories were felicitated amid loud cheers, as athletes from India and abroad dominated the podium across men’s and women’s divisions.
The celebrations continued with a post-run carnival, where students and fitness enthusiasts came together for music, interactive fitness activities and Zumba sessions, turning the marathon into a festival of health, inclusion and community spirit.
MAHE expressed gratitude to its title sponsors ICICI Bank, UNEXT, Deloitte, BOBCARD, and other supporting partners for backing what has become a landmark annual event in India’s fitness calendar.
With every stride taken, the Manipal Marathon reaffirmed its identity—not just as a race, but as a movement where fitness meets sustainability, and community runs together towards a shared future.
