Prayagraj : For the first time in nearly three decades, Indira Marathon will have a half-marathon alongside the traditional 42.195-km full marathon, giving both men and women runners an additional competitive category in this year’s event on Nov 19.
The half-marathon, covering 21.0975 km, will start from Anand Bhawan shortly after the full marathon begins at 6.30 am.
The proposal has received consent from divisional commissioner Lokesh M and district magistrate Manish Verma, officials said. Acting regional sports officer Shiv Kumar Yadav said the sports department had already measured the proposed half-marathon route following approval from the divisional commissioner and district magistrate. The event is being planned by the district and divisional sports promotion committee.
The sports department later introduced 4-km and 8-km cross-country races alongside Indira Marathon in 2009. These events continued until 2020, with the shorter races catering to different age groups, including women and veteran runners. The revival of the 21.0975-km race is expected to restore an important element of the marathon’s earlier format while widening participation in the annual event held to mark former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary.