The iconic earthen embankment of Hirakud transformed into a global racing track as Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan flagged off the MCL Hirakud International Half Marathon - 2026. The event saw a massive turnout of over 10,000 participants, including international elite runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, alongside athletes from 23 Indian states.
Spanning four categories (21km, 10km, 5km, and 1.5km), the marathon aligned with Prime Minister Modi’s 'Fit India Movement'. Minister Pradhan emphasized that this race is a precursor to India’s 2036 Olympic ambitions. "When our youth run, the country runs toward progress," he noted, highlighting the event's role in putting Sambalpur on the global tourism map.
The ceremony was attended by a galaxy of leaders, including Ministers Suresh Pujari and Suraj Suryavansi, who joined the race to promote physical fitness.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony where Pradhan honored the winners, celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship that united runners from across the globe—from the Himalayas to the African savannah—on the historic soil of Odisha.