Delhi Half Marathon moves 10K start away from Sansad Marg as record 41,000 sign up

A record field of more than 41,000 runners has signed up for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday, 18 October, and many of them will be starting from a different place.

Organisers announced on Wednesday that the Open 10K will now start at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 7:35 am instead of Sansad Marg, the avenue in central Delhi where protests against the Election Commission have been held in recent days. They also made what they called minor refinements to the half marathon route, saying the changes were made with the “safety and experience” of runners in mind and in close coordination with the authorities.

Every race will now start and finish at the stadium. The elite men set off at 5:18 am and the elite women two minutes later, followed by the main half marathon and Police Cup at 5:30 am, which organisers said was subject to government approval. The run for champions with disability and senior citizens starts at 6:30 am, the corporate run at 9 am and the Great Delhi Run at 9:05 am. The figure of 41,000 includes runners taking part virtually.

Vivek Singh, joint managing director of promoters Procam International, said: “The Delhi Half Marathon has grown into an event with a significant impact beyond sport.”

The race is a World Athletics Gold Label road race. About 200 police officers and 70 to 80 traffic police will be on duty. “We will be present at every stage to support the organisers and ensure a safe and successful race,” said Madhurendra Kumar, a Delhi Police traffic inspector.

Registered runners can travel free on the Delhi Metro on race day, with services on four lines starting at 3:30 am. “With 41,000 runners taking part, their safety is our top priority,” said Dr Sameer Gupta, the event’s co-medical director. There will be 11 medical stations along the route and 12 ambulances on standby.