The 11th edition of Vadodara Marathon was held on Sunday, 7th January 2024, with Title Sponsor MG Motor India and Powered by Joy E-bike.
VM’s theme for this edition focused on the heartbeat of health and sustainability, with the slogan “Run the Green Mile”. This edition supported the Vadodara City Historic Landmark signage project, executed by Heritage Trust jointly with Vadodara Municipal Corporation, to create awareness about the rich heritage of the city. This edition was an extension to the Heritage Run, which was an integral part of the previous edition of Vadodara Marathon.
To further the cause of sustainability, VM identified select NGOs working in environment and sustainability space, whose projects will be supported over the coming year by the Marathon. Additionally, VM is preparing a toolkit to engage with 200+ schools to instill in the students the knowledge of the 17 SDGs and what the students can do at their individual level to be a responsible global citizen.
This edition was launched at a grand press conference on 12th December 2023, with Chief Guest Shri Harshbhai Sanghavi, Minister of State- Home & Industries, Transport, Youth, Sports & Culture, Govt of Gujarat, and other dignitaries, at Hotel Grand Mercure Surya Palace at Vadodara. An event for schools, colleges and educational institutions (Education Connect) was held on 8th December 2023, at Hotel Grand Mercure Surya Palace. Hoardings for various stakeholders, like schools and educational institutions, NGO partners and Torch of Seva pledgers have been installed across the city, showcasing their commitment to various causes for the betterment of society. A special session on CPR training was conducted on 29th December, open for all, by the doctors and medical team of Bhailal Amin General Hospital (BAGH) at their hospital premises.
The lead-up to the Marathon was filled with meticulous planning and trials, with VM team working in close collaboration with Vadodara administration (Collectorate, Municipal Corporation and Police), and volunteer teams at venue and routes, to ensure a safe and good experience for all. The venue of Navlakhi ground, for flag-off and finish line of the Marathon, was graciously provided by the Gaekwad royal family, whose unstinted support and generosity to Vadodara Marathon has been and remains monumental to VM success each year.
The Kit Expo was held on 5th January 2024 at Bhailal Amin General Hospital, with runners being given their kits along with meeting the Pacers, and being given access to critical information and resources for health and fitness awareness.
The 11th edition had Timed Runs: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Half Marathon Relay, and Quarter Marathon; and Fun Runs: Ami LifeSciences 5KM Swachhata Run and KYB Conmat 5KM NGO Pledge Run. Special marquee runs included INOX 1KM Divyang Paralympic Run with over 1500 Divyang participants and their supporters and families, and Torch of Seva Run had a group of 30 Pledgers, with their associates, who ran to raise awareness and funds for various NGOs and causes.
7th January – Marathon morning saw the entire city bearing a festive look, with signages and route markings displayed along all routes, and large hoardings all over the city. Stages were set up along all routes, with performances by schools, colleges, organizations and performance troupes to motivate the runners. People lined up along the routes, to cheer the runners, enhancing to the festivities. Water, refreshment and energy drinks points were set up at appropriate intervals, and were manned along all routes, to ensure all runners remained well hydrated. Medical units, ambulances and care stations were also set up at throughout each route, manned by medical professionals, to provide care and support as needed. At the finish point, a large hospital set-up with many beds was in place with medical professionals and physiotherapists available for tending to the runners. Musical performances at the flag off venue, performances along the route, and DJ with a party at the finish point – all set the stage for a big celebration for the Marathon participants.
The flag off for the timed runs began sharp on time from 4.45AM onwards for Full, Half, and Quarter marathons, with Jawan Run, to avail of the cooler temperature in the early morning for a better run experience. The international runners and Indian elite runners lead the pack of runners as always, aiming for their PBT (personal best time). For the safety of the runners, the police had ensured the routes were free of traffic. The timed runners were escorted by two groups of cyclists- The Cyclists Club of Baroda (TCCB) and Pedaling for Fitness (P4F), while the timed runners also availed the services of pacers from Baroda Road Runners (BRR) for all timed runs.
The fun runs – 5KM Swachhata Run, 5KM NGO Run, Torch of Seva Run and the competitive categories of 1KM Divyang Runs were flagged off from 8AM, by the Chief Guest, Shri Harshbhai Sanghavi, along with other dignitaries. At the Finish Lines, VM teams received the timed runners, upon completing their runs, with participation medals. Winners of each run were noted, and data tallied as recorded by the electronic chip in their shoes. Stalls with refreshments, snacks, fruits and hydration were available for all runners. Photobooths and selfie points added to the celebrations. All the runners congregated at the DJ’s stage, dancing and celebrating their success with other runners and the VM team.
Felicitation for the winners of each category – timed runs and Divyang run categories- was held, with VM Chairperson Tejal Amin, Co-Chairperson Sameer Khera, dignitaries, sponsors and partners; with winners receiving cheques for their accomplishments. All participants could download their certificates from VM website.
With slogan ‘Run the Green Mile’ and ‘RegisTREEtion’, this 11th edition had a record 1,34,291 registrations – the highest number of registrations in a non-metro city for 2024. With its tradition of signature timed and fun runs, community service initiatives, and with sponsors, partners, corporates, organizations, NGOs, educational institutions, defence forces, and citizens from all walks of life, along with media (electronic, print and social media, radio and television) coming together to support, volunteer and participate in the Marathon, the 11th edition of MG Vadodara International Marathon was a resounding success, on Sunday 7th January 2024!
Post the 11th edition of the Marathon, work continues at Vadodara Marathon with ongoing initiatives. The NCC and Divyang volunteers were felicitated, and VM team celebratory dinner was held on 27th March, with a theatrical performance to celebrate World Theatre Day.
Post the 11th edition of the Marathon, work continues at Vadodara Marathon with ongoing initiatives. The NCC and Divyang volunteers were felicitated, and VM team celebratory dinner was held on 27th March, with a theatrical performance to celebrate World Theatre Day.
For Voter Awareness, VM team conducted a unique voter awareness campaign which was flagged off by the Collector on 26th April, to enthuse local public to exercise their rights as a citizen to vote in the elections held on 7th May.
