S. Vishnu Sharma
IIT Hyderabad (IITH) Runners Club hosted the IITH Half Marathon 2024.
This is a landmark event celebrating fitness, resilience, and community spirit.
Held on the scenic IIT Hyderabad campus, the marathon brought together participants from across the nation, united by a shared commitment to promoting health and wellness.
Platform
The event served as a vibrant platform for competitive racing, welcoming the institute’s students, alumni, faculty, staff, and passionate runners from all over the country.
Over 1500 participants competed in three race categories:
• Half Marathon (21.1 km)
• 10km Run
• 5km Fun Run
The picturesque route showcased IIT Hyderabad’s state-of-the-art infrastructure alongside its lush greenery, offering participants a unique and memorable racing experience.
Chief guest
Ms. Poorna Malavath, the youngest female to summit Mount Everest, graced the event as the Chief Guest.
Her awe-inspiring journey of courage and determination left the audience captivated as she shared a powerful message of endurance and resilience, embodying the spirit of the marathon itself.
The IIT Hyderabad Half Marathon reflects the spirit of endurance and resilience, values that resonate deeply with me as a mountaineer, said chief guest.
Guest of honour
Ch. Rupesh, Superintendent of Police, Sangareddy district was the guest of honor.
He emphasized the importance of fitness and discipline, applauding IIT Hyderabad for creating a platform that fosters health and wellness alongside academic excellence.
I commend IIT Hyderabad for creating a platform that encourages health and wellness alongside academic brilliance, said guest of honour.
Director of IIT Hyderabad
Guided by the leadership of Prof. B. S. Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, the marathon exemplified the institute’s commitment to holistic development.
Prof. Murty shared his enthusiasm, stating this event is not just a celebration of fitness and endurance but also a testament to the vibrant and energetic spirit of our IIT Hyderabad community and IITH Runners Club.
Today, we run not only for health but also to inspire collaboration, camaraderie, and a commitment to active lifestyle, he said.
My heartfelt thanks to all the participants, volunteers, sponsors, and organizers for making this possible. Let’s make this a memorable and energizing experience, he said.
Hard work
The success of the marathon is a testament to the hard work of the organizers.
The event, meticulously organized by the IITH Runners Club, was led by Prof. Prem Pal (President and Race Director), Dr. Upender Sunkari (Vice President), and Dr. Himanshu Joshi (General Secretary), who ensured a seamless and memorable experience for all attendees.
Release Reflecting on the success of the event, Prof. Prem Pal, Race Director, said this marathon stands as a testament to IITH’s dedication to fostering health, endurance, and inclusivity.”
Dr. Upender Sunkari added it was a joy to see such an enthusiastic turnout.
Together, we have taken strides toward a healthier and brighter future, he said.
The IITH Half Marathon 2024 was not just a race but a celebration of life, inspiring everyone to embrace fitness and community as a way of life.
About IIT Hyderabad
IITH, established in 2008, as one of the second Generation IITs, has reached a respectable position in both academics, research, technology development and startups in the short span of 15 years.
In the recent Indian National Ranking (NIRF-2024), IITH is placed at 3rd in Innovation and 8th among Engineering institutes in India.
It has 325+ full-time faculty, 5,300+ students (PG + PhD students accounting for about 60%). The institute has a strong research focus with Rs. 1300+ Cr of R&D funding, 11,500+ publications, 320+ Patents, and about 260+ startups (that have generated 1100+ jobs and a revenue of Rs. 1500+ Cr).
IITH encourages and supports innovation and entrepreneurship at every stage. The minor program in entrepreneurship is open to all students of IITH, and many of the courses are offered by industrialists who are entrepreneurs themselves.
There are various innovation centers and incubators that promote entrepreneurship and help mentor young innovators.
IITH has been very successful in building tie-ups with leading academic institutions around the globe.
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