Rama Krishna Sangem
The IIT Hyderabad Half Marathon 2025 turned the campus into a pulsating celebration of fitness and community as 2,258 runners came together to support the Fit India Movement. Organized by the IITH Runners Club, the second edition saw an extraordinary mix of students, faculty, alumni, families, corporate runners, and fitness enthusiasts from across Telangana and beyond.
This year’s marathon carried the powerful theme — “Run to Inspire. Run to Innovate. IIT Hyderabad: Built to Motivate.” The picturesque route, mapped through green expanses and iconic academic blocks of IITH offered runners a memorable and challenging race experience.
Sunima Dila and Vipin Tyagi emerged champions in the 21.1 km Half Marathon (Women’s and Men’s categories, respectively). Tyagi, a tech professional from Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, clocked an impressive 1 hour 33 minutes, becoming the fastest runner of the event. Both winners, working in the technology sector, symbolised the marathon’s message of bridging innovation, health, and humanity.
The race was flagged off and awards facilitated by Guests. Pavani Banoth, Bronze Medalist, World Ability Sports Games, Uma Harathi N., IAS, IITH Alumna & Sub-Collector, Narayankhed, Sangareddy, Chandrashekar Badugu, IAS, Additional Collector, Sangareddy, Satyanarayana Pothumarthi, Managing Director, Swan Turbine Services and Prof. B.S. Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad, said a press releease.
Vibrant expression of Fit India movement
Prof. B.S. Murty, Director of IITH, sharing his enthusiasm, “The IITH Half Marathon has become a vibrant expression of the Fit India Movement on our campus. Bringing together more than 2,200 participants in a space built on the vision of Inventing and Innovating in Technology for Humanity, this event shows how health, innovation, and community can move forward together. At IITH, fitness is not just an activity but a mindset — one that fuels long-term well-being and inspires society.”
Pavani Banoth, Bronze Medalist, World Ability Sports Games facilitated the winners and shared her happiness to see the enthusiasm, “The energy at IIT Hyderabad was incredible. Seeing so many runners — from beginners to seasoned athletes — embrace fitness with such enthusiasm truly reflects the spirit of Fit India.”
Uma Harathi N., IAS, Sub-Collector, Narayankhed, Sangareddy & IITH Alumna, shared: “IITH has always stood for innovation with societal purpose. It’s inspiring to see the community come together for an event that promotes health, discipline, and collective motivation.” Chandrashekar Badugu, IAS, Additional Collector, Sangareddy, also shared that “the spirit of such initiatives impact the larger aim of the govt. to empower communities with healthy habits”
Dr. Himanshu Joshi, Faculty In-Charge, Sports, IIT Hyderabad, said: “More than 2,200 people running inside a premier technology institute shows how deeply fitness is becoming a part of our culture. The fact that both Half Marathon winners are from the IT sector perfectly captures the message — technology and health can grow together,” said the release.
