Dhenkanal (Odisha): The fourth edition of the Tata Steel Kapilash Half Marathon will be held on January 9, 2027, with organisers targeting more than 5,000 participants and placing the spotlight on a drug-free India and biodiversity conservation.
Tata Steel Meramandali, in collaboration with the Dhenkanal district administration, announced the event on Friday, combining long-distance running with efforts to promote healthy lifestyles, protect wildlife and showcase Odisha’s ecological heritage.
The marathon will be held near the Chandrasekhar Mahadev Temple, along the buffer area of Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary, an ecologically significant landscape. Organisers said the event would particularly engage young people through the government’s ‘Nashamukt Bharat’ campaign and raise awareness about elephant conservation.
The competition will feature three categories: a 21-km half marathon and a 10-km run for participants aged 18 and above, and a 5-km race for boys and girls aged 14-18. The route is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), an international organisation headquartered in Athens, Greece.
Prizes worth Rs 9.64 lakh will be awarded across categories. Registration is open at https://tatasteelruns.com/ until January 5, 2027, or until the 5,000 slots are filled, whichever comes first. Entry fees are Rs 400 for the half marathon, Rs 300 for the 10-km run and Rs 150 for the 5-km race.
Dhenkanal Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil welcomed the initiative, saying it combined the region’s biodiversity with the campaign for a drug-free society. Superintendent of Police Ajinkya Mane said the police would ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
“The Kapilash Half Marathon has grown beyond a sporting event to become a platform for promoting fitness, biodiversity conservation and community participation,” said D. B. Sundara Ramam, Tata Steel’s vice-president for corporate services.
Sudhir Kumar Mehta, vice-president of operations at Tata Steel Meramandali, said the initiative reflected the company’s commitment to grassroots sports, sustainable community development and nature conservation.
The organisers said the event would also highlight Kapilash’s tourism potential.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
