New Delhi, Nov 29 (NationPress) The 20th edition of the Delhi Half Marathon, which saw 40,500 runners participate in the event held in the National Capital on Sunday, October 12, 2025, has successfully raised INR 4.12 crore for 16 social causes, as announced by the organizers on Friday.

This landmark edition of 2025 was not merely a showcase of fitness but also a celebration of communal social responsibility and impact. With the assistance of Philanthropy Partner Lakshyaa, over INR 4.12 crore was generated for numerous social causes through the efforts of NGOs, fundraisers, corporate partners, and runners alike.

Spanning over two decades, the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has evolved into one of India’s preeminent sporting events dedicated to philanthropy, amassing more than INR 88.63 crore to date, thereby reinforcing the race’s legacy of promoting social change through sports.

Reflecting on this year's edition, Nikhil Pant, Founder of Lakshyaa, expressed, “Throughout my three decades of experience, I've had the honor to work at the crossroads of policy, purpose, and community; aiding in the development of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India and fostering connections between governments, corporations, and communities. Central to this journey is a fundamental belief: genuine change occurs when passion is directed with intention. This belief resonated deeply this year as Lakshyaa joined as the Philanthropy Partner for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2025.

“This partnership represents the strength of collective determination. Just like long-distance running, development work requires endurance, collaboration, and a commitment to progress. Both endeavors are about pushing limits, testing resilience, and advancing forward,” he added.

Corporations, NGOs, individuals, and runners collectively embodied the ethos of Lakshyaa: transforming intent into impact. Through this alliance, Lakshyaa sought to amplify the voice of the social sector — aiding NGOs in their fundraising initiatives, guiding corporations to align their projects with meaningful causes, and motivating runners to see their efforts as steps towards a more inclusive and equitable future.

Contributing to the philanthropic foundation of the event was the title sponsor, Vedanta, through its flagship social impact initiative, #RunForZeroHunger under the Nand Ghar program. In the past three editions, this campaign has facilitated the distribution of nearly 20 million nutritious meals to communities in need.

For the 2025 edition, Vedanta expanded this impact by distributing 5 million Poshan Packs, corresponding to 5 million kilometres run. The initiative also extended its reach to animal welfare through The Animal Care Organisation (TACO), reflecting Vedanta’s comprehensive approach to nurturing all forms of life under the principle of ‘One Health’.

As a cause-neutral platform, NGOs supported a variety of initiatives - including early childhood development, education and youth success, health and wellness, financial stability, environmental sustainability, disaster preparedness, and diversity and inclusion. While fundraising is a key aspect, the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon also provided partnering NGOs a platform to initiate discussions on shared issues of importance.

With sustainability as a cornerstone, an increasing number of corporate entities are investing in social good through these charitable initiatives each year. This year, 15 corporations with 1,077 employees and 2,716 individuals, including donors, united to support various social causes.

Shreepad Shende, Chief Marketing Officer of IDFC FIRST Bank, remarked, “The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon embodies the spirit of unity and the essence of giving back.”

To uphold transparency and accountability, every year the Delhi Half Marathon releases a Philanthropy Docket detailing all funds raised that year. This year, the docket was revealed in the presence of esteemed partners and dignitaries.