New Delhi: The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has set a new philanthropy benchmark with 72 NGOs, 14 corporates and over 169 individual fundraisers collectively raising nearly Rs 8.9 crore ahead of the race day on Oct 18.
Celebrating Delhi’s generosity and bringing people together since 2005, the event has raised over Rs 97.5 crore for communities and causes nationwide, emerging as a leading sporting platform for philanthropy. Nikhil Pant, founder and partner of Lakshyaa, said: “VDHM 2026 exemplifies how sports, fitness, and community engagement can come together to a create meaningful and lasting social impact. The 21st Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has raised over Rs 8.8 crore, more than double 2025’s Rs 4.1 crore, with 161 fundraisers against 50 last year. The cumulative collections stand at Rs 97.5 crore, supporting over 500 NGOs across healthcare, education, livelihoods, gender, disability, environment and other causes. The Rs 8.8 crore raised so far is a testament to the collective efforts of the Lakshyaa Foundation, our runners, NGOs and corporate partners. Today, it is heartening to see philanthropy become an integral part of Delhi’s social fabric, reflecting a growing culture of giving that extends far beyond Race Day. ” The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 Philanthropy Meet and Greet brought together professionals, runners and young fundraisers using their networks and interests to support social causes. Indian Railway Finance Corporation was represented by general manager-finance Ashish Saini, a 2016-batch IRAS officer and former Northern Railways official. Penav Mota, a Mumbai criminal lawyer and endurance athlete who lost his vision at 15, is general secretary of the Blind Graduates Forum of India. Supporting his foundation this year is Delhi Runners Group (DRG), co-founded by dental surgeon Dr Sangeeta Saikia, who has served in Delhi govt hospitals for over 25 years. Formed in 2014, DRG raised Rs 10 lakh for a participating nonprofit last year. Fundraising remains open until Oct 31, 2026, and donations can be made at https://vdhm.lakshyaa.co.in/.
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Vivek B Singh, joint managing director, Procam International, said: “We have more than doubled our fundraising compared to last year, with contributions still coming in. Lakshyaa, its philanthropy partner for the second consecutive year, helped mobilise and support participants through guidance and assistance. We continue to strive towards making the philanthropy pillar bigger and better, bringing together nonprofits, individual fundraisers, corporates, and the running community to drive meaningful change. Clix Capital director Anil Chawla brings over three decades of financial services experience. Through the PenavMota Foundation, he promotes opportunities for persons with disabilities in sports, health and education. Download the TOI App.
Previous editions helped provide 22 million meals over four years. Deepak Sharma , the Change Icon, emerged as the highest individual fundraiser, raising Rs 31 lakh for Udayan Care, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering vulnerable children, youth and women. The youngest fundraiser, 15-year-old Rehaan Gayan, a Class X student, raised Ra 50,000 for ETASHA Society, a registered non-profit working in skill development and livelihood enhancement.
Under title sponsor Vedanta’s #RunForZeroHunger initiative through Nand Ghar, every kilometre run will contribute towards its pledge of five million Poshan Packs for children and animals to combat malnutrition. His contribution set a new record for individual fundraising at the event. Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) is the only public sector undertaking supporting social causes through the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon.