Tata Steel Meramandali Announces 3rd Edition of ‘Tata Steel Kapilash Half Marathon’ in Dhenkanal
- ~ Commemorates 100 years of the legacy of Amar Shaheed Baji Rout ~
- ~Aims to promote running and biodiversity conservation
- ~Prizes worth Rs 9.64 lakh to be won
Dhenkanal, October 29, 2025: After two unforgettable editions, Tata Steel Meramandali (TSM), in collaboration with the District Administration of Dhenkanal, has announced the 3rd edition of the Tata Steel Kapilash Half Marathon, scheduled for January 10, 2026. The event will take place in the picturesque periphery of the Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary, Dhenkanal, near the famous tourist spot of Chandrasekhar Mahadev temple, celebrating the harmony between sports, nature, and community spirit.
At a press conference held in Dhenkanal, the official T-shirt for the 2026 half-marathon was unveiled by Ashish Iswar Patil, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate of Dhenkanal in the presence of Abhinav Sonkar, IPS, SP Dhenkanal; Sumit Kar, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Dhenkanal; Mohit Das, Chief, Corporate Services, Tata Steel Meramandali; Mukul Vinayak Choudhari, Chief, Sports, Tata Steel; and Gopabandhu Dash, Executive Director, MGM Minerals Ltd.
The event commemorates the centenary of Amar Shaheed Baji Rout, youngest martyr of India’s freedom struggle, paying tribute to his indomitable courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy. The half marathon aims to spread awareness about biodiversity conservation, particularly the protection of elephants, while promoting Kapilash as a global destination for eco-tourism and professional running.
Encouraging a culture of fitness, wellness, and sporting enthusiasm, the marathon will feature three categories — a 21 km and 10 km run for participants aged 18 and above, and a 5 km run for boys and girls aged 14 to 18. The marathon route has been certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), the globally recognised body headquartered in Monaco, reaffirming the event’s growing stature on the international running calendar.
Commending Tata Steel Meramandali for its continued efforts, Ashish Iswar Patil, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate, Dhenkanal, said, “Third edition of the Tata Steel Kapilash Half Marathon is being organized by Tata Steel and the Dhenkanal district administration and it will be of international level. I would urge all to participate in huge numbers. The district administration will extend all support for the event and with everyone’s cooperation we will make it a grand success.”
Expressing gratitude to the district administration and supporting partners, D B Sundara Ramam Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel said, “At Tata Steel, we believe in using sports as a means to promote fitness, good health, well-being, and community spirit. The Kapilash Half Marathon holds a special place in our hearts, as it not only promotes an active lifestyle but also raises awareness about wildlife and biodiversity conservation. This year, as we also commemorate the centenary of Amar Shaheed Baji Rout, we look forward to the enthusiastic participation of runners on January 10, 2026.”
Echoing his thoughts Uttam Singh, Vice President, Operations, Tata Steel Meramandali said, “The journey to a healthy mind and body begins not in gyms or with supplements, but in the embrace of nature and the power of perseverance. I invite everyone to join the Tata Steel Kapilash Marathon 2026 — a run through the breathtaking trails of the Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary in Dhenkanal.”
Registrations are open through https://tatasteelruns.com/ until December 15, 2025. With limited slots for 5,000 participants, registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry fees are Rs 400 for 21 km, Rs 300 for 10 km, and Rs 150 for 5 km. Participants will receive a goodie bag including a T-shirt, bib chip, and refreshments.
The Tata Steel Kapilash Half Marathon 2026 will offer cash prizes worth Rs 9.64 lakh, with 30 awards across categories. The top prize of Rs 1 lakh each will be given to the winners of the Men’s and Women’s 21 km runs.
The event is supported by MGM Minerals Ltd, Tata 1mg, Tata BlueScope Steel, Khemka Industries, NAVA, Jamipol, Tata Steel Support Services Ltd, Tata Steel Technical Services Ltd, and TM International Logistics Ltd.
