Did Over 10,000 Runners Join 'Shauryaveer - Run for India' in Delhi?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 10,000 participants joined the 'Shauryaveer – Run for India' event.
- The event highlights the connection between citizens and the Indian Armed Forces.
- Participants included soldiers, civilians, and professional athletes.
- The run featured various distances catering to different age groups.
- Shaurya Diwas commemorates the bravery of the Indian Armed Forces.
New Delhi, Oct 26 (NationPress) Over 10,000 participants, including Army officers, soldiers, professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and civilians, participated in the 'Shauryaveer – Run for India' event held in New Delhi on Sunday.
This event, organized as part of the 79th Shaurya Diwas celebrations, was inaugurated by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi. It aimed to honor the valor, unity, and indomitable spirit of India's soldiers.
During his address, General Dwivedi expressed appreciation for the incredible turnout and support from participants.
"Thank you all for your tremendous presence today. This year’s Shauryaveer marathon included distances of 21 km, 10 km, 5 km, and 3 km," he stated.
Emphasizing the enthusiasm shown by the public, the Army Chief remarked that there was significant involvement from civilians.
"The most crucial aspect is the unwavering support we received from the people of India for the Indian Army; it has been a tremendous encouragement. This year, two-thirds of the 8,000 participants were civilians who came out in support of the Army. We even had to limit our personnel registrations due to overwhelming interest," he added.
General Dwivedi also revealed that the Shauryaveer run took place simultaneously at about 21 locations nationwide, drawing in more than 35,000 participants overall.
Sharing his thoughts, Lt Gen J.K. Sharma, a senior Army officer, mentioned, "I began participating in half marathons around 2011, and joining Shauryaveer has always been a privilege and honor. I thank the organizers for this event."
Shaurya Diwas is commemorated annually on October 27 to honor the courage and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces.
This day marks the historical moment in 1947 when Indian infantrymen were the first to land in Srinagar, successfully thwarting invaders and protecting Jammu and Kashmir from a Pakistani incursion.
The event showcased various race categories catering to different age groups and fitness levels.
These categories included a 21 km timed competitive run for those over 18 years, a 10 km timed open run for participants above 10 years, a 5 km People's Run for runners above 10 years, and a 3 km family-friendly run open to all above 10 years.
The Army stated that the success of this year's event exemplifies the lasting connection between the Indian Armed Forces and civilians, highlighting unity, patriotism, and respect for the nation's defenders.