NEW DELHI: Registrations for the World’s most prestigious Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) are in full swing.
The World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, with a prize money of USD 260,000, will be flagged off from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on
Sunday, October 20.
Top athletes from around the globe will join India’s finest and amateur runners will vie for glory in the #AaRangDeDilli spirit.
Ugandan sensation Joshua Cheptegei and Kenya’s former Half-Marathon World record holder Peres Jepchirchir are all set to light up the streets of Delhi!
Joshua is the current world record holder for both the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters and holds the world’s best time over the 15-kilometer distance.
He is the reigning Olympic champion in the 10,000 meters and won the gold with a new Olympic record of 26:43.14.
Joshua is also a three-time World champion in the 10,000 meters and claimed gold in both the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
Notably, Cheptegei is only the tenth man in history to simultaneously hold the 5000 meter and 10,000 meter world records, both of which he set in 2020.
Interestingly, Cheptegei made his international debut in India at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2014, finishing second.
His return to India for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon promises to be a highlight of this year’s race.
Speaking about his return to India Joshua said, “This country holds a special place in my heart, as it’s where I made my international debut in 2014. It’s been a good season for me, and I am certainly looking at a course-record timing at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon.
The energy and passion of the Indian running community are truly inspiring, and I’m excited to be part of this prestigious event. Kenya’s former Half-Marathon World record holder and three-time world half-marathon winner Peres Jepchirchir will lead the women’s contingent. Peres won the London Marathon 2024 with a time of 2:16:16 secs, breaking the women’s only Marathon world record.
She also won the 2021 New York City and 2022 Boston Marathons.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc & Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Limited, said, “The Vedanta family is absolutely delighted to welcome the incredible Olympic and World Champion Joshua Cheptegei to the Vedanta Delhi Half
Marathon 2024. With his remarkable achievements and unstoppable spirit, we are certain that Joshua’s presence will spark a wave of inspiration, encouraging even more people to hit the track and run for a cause closest to our hearts – Run for Zero Hunger.
Together, we can race towards a healthier, malnutrition-free India!”
Naarayan TV, CMO, IDFC FIRST Bank, Said, “IDFC FIRST Bank is thrilled to be the Associate Sponsor of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon for the third consecutive year. This
association reflects the bank’s commitment to promoting physical & financial well-being.
We continue with our marathon theme of #JourneyToTheStart, motivating people to take
their first step towards a better life. Every runner who completes their respective run within a stipulated time period will be eligible for a specially designed IDFC FIRST Bank Runner’s Tee.
