The Wipro Bengaluru Marathon, an annual highlight of the city's sporting calendar, will return on Sunday, 6th October 2024. This year, the marathon is expected to see more than 30,000 runners take part, with participants starting their journey from the historic Kanteerava Stadium. As they run through the city's most significant landmarks, including MG Road, Vidhana Soudha, and Cubbon Park, the marathon promises to showcase the vibrancy of Bengaluru's urban landscape.
The Marathon this year has been certified as National Open Marathon by the Athletics Federation of India and will witness participation by several Indian Elite runners including Srinu who ran the New Delhi National Marathon 2024 with timing of 2 hours 14 Minutes; Pradeep Singh who ran the New Delhi National Marathon 2024 with timing of 2 hours 16 Minutes; Sikander T who ran the Dhaka International Marathon 2024 with a timing of 2 hours 21 Minutes; Amit R Patil who ran the Army Marathon 2024 with a timing of 2 hours 22 Minutes amongst others.
As the city's premier running event, the Bengaluru Marathon is more than just a race—it's a celebration of fitness, community spirit, and the rich culture of Bengaluru. The 11th edition of this iconic event, sponsored by Wipro, will bring together runners across four race categories: the 42.195 km full marathon, the 21.1 km half marathon, the 10K run, and the 5K Hope Run. This AIMS (Association of International Marathons) certified event aims to inspire runners of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds.
The Wipro Bengaluru Marathon proudly supports several NGOs and initiatives aimed at uplifting underprivileged and vulnerable children. Each of these organisations works tirelessly to ensure the well-being, education, and dignity of the children they serve. These include Ananya Trust, Snehagram, Positive Running Program, Thayi Mane, Mathrudhama, Thulir, Shristi Special Academy, Suryodaya Boys Center, Tranquil Charitable Foundation (TCF) and Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation.
Nagaraj Adiga, Race Director, said, "The response to this year's marathon has been incredibly encouraging. It's clear that Bengaluru's love for running is growing stronger with every edition. We hope the Bengaluru Marathon continues to flourish and build an even larger community of runners and supporters. We have introduced the 10K category this year specially to raise funds for the various charities we support."
Dr. Reeth Abraham, Arjuna Awardee and Event Ambassador, expressed her gratitude, "It's been an amazing journey over the past decade, watching the Bengaluru Marathon grow from strength to strength. The support from the running community, local authorities, and volunteers has been overwhelming. I'm grateful to be part of this inspiring event that celebrates the spirit of our city."
Saurabh Govil, Chief Human Resources Officer, Wipro Limited said, "Wipro is excited to continue supporting the Bengaluru Marathon for the second consecutive year. The event truly reflects our brand values of promoting a healthy and active lifestyle while fostering a sense of community. We look forward to this year's event, confident that it will continue to grow as one of the premier running events in the country."
Murali Malayappan, Chairman and Managing Director of Shriram Properties Ltd, added, "Shriram Properties is honoured to support the Bengaluru Marathon for the 11th consecutive year. This marathon is a vibrant celebration of fitness, unity, and diversity. Our partnership with the marathon reflects our values of perseverance, inclusivity, and the power of collective effort. We hope to continue supporting this iconic event that brings people together to achieve their personal bests while inspiring others to do the same."