Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, unveiled the finisher's medal for the 21st edition of the Delhi Half Marathon at the Delhi Secretariat. The race, which carries a World Athletics Gold Label — the sport's highest road-race accreditation — will be flagged off on Sunday, 18 October 2026, from the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

About the Finisher's Medal

This year's medal is crafted from high-quality zinc sourced from the Zawar Mines in Udaipur, one of the world's oldest active zinc mining sites, and produced by Hindustan Zinc Limited, a company within the Vedanta Group. Organisers say the medal is designed to represent far more than a race-day memento — it links India's industrial heritage with the personal endurance of every finisher.

Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Ltd and Non-Executive Director of Vedanta Ltd, said: 'Rooted in India's rich industrial heritage, the medal stands as a powerful symbol of strength, resilience and endurance. Through our #RunForZeroHunger campaign, every kilometre run carries a larger purpose — helping nourish children and animals in need while inspiring people across the country to embrace a healthier, more active and compassionate future.'

Government Backing and Tourism Push

Chief Minister Gupta said the event had grown into an essential civic initiative. 'The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, with a focus on health, fitness, increased participation of women, and its wider socio-economic and charitable impact, has become an important initiative for the National Capital. The enthusiasm and joy of the participants is truly inspiring, and the Delhi Government stands with the event to make this edition even more successful,' she said.

Kapil Mishra, Minister of Labour, Employment and Tourism for the Government of NCT of Delhi, framed the marathon as a tourism driver. 'The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has become an annual calendar event for Delhi, bringing together people from across the country and the world. The Delhi Government and Delhi Tourism are fully committed to promoting such sporting events, which continues to strengthen Delhi's position as a tourism destination,' he added.

Record Registrations Signal Surging Interest

Registrations for the half marathon closed within 100 hours — the fastest closure in the event's 21-year history. Parallel categories, including the Great Delhi Run, the Champions with Disability Run, and the Senior Citizen Run, also drew an overwhelming response, with slots filling rapidly. The figures point to Delhi's sharply growing running culture and the marathon's evolution from a road race into a citywide celebration.

Vivek Singh, Joint Managing Director of Procam International — the event's organiser — said: 'Every year, we strive to create a medal that carries meaning and becomes a cherished memory for every runner, and we believe this year's medal will do just that. We urge everyone to join the movement, find your reason to participate, give back by raising funds, and come together to celebrate the spirit of Delhi.'

Institutional Support

The organisers acknowledged support from a broad coalition of central and state institutions, including the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Athletics Federation of India, Delhi Police, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Indian Army, Raj Bhavan Delhi, World Athletics (WA), the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), and Global Sports Communication (GSC).

With the start line set and registrations already closed, attention now turns to race day on 18 October, when thousands of runners from across India and the world will take to the streets of the capital.