Over 4,600 Fitness Enthusiasts Run to Protect Wildlife at Tata Steel Kapilash Half Marathon 2025
- ~ Race held in collaboration with District Administration, Dhenkanal and Odisha Athletic Association to create awareness on biodiversity and wildlife ~
- ~ Equal prize money for men and women totalling INR 9.64 lakh ~
- Shubham Sindhu and Bharti from Haryana emerged as the winners in the men’s and women’s 21km categories, respectively.
Dhenkanal, January 11, 2025: Tata Steel, in association with the District Administration Dhenkanal and Odisha Athletic Association, hosted the 2nd Edition of the Tata Steel Kapilash Half Marathon 2025 on Saturday, January 11, at Kapilash, Dhenkanal. The event took place at the periphery of the Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary under the theme – “Run to Protect Wildlife”. Over 4600 runners from all over the country participated this time.
The event was flagged-off by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Education, Government of India. Thanking the district administration and Tata Steel for organizing this half-marathon, he called on everyone to be aware of the protection of elephants and other wild animals. The Honorable Minister emphasized how the wealth and life of the local area can be protected by securing Gajraj (referencing elephant security). He hoped this event would grow, attracting more people from far and wide.
Other dignitaries present were Shri Krushna Chandra Patra, Hon’ble Minister of Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare and Science & Technology Departments, Government of Odisha, Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Higher Education, Odisha Literature and Culture, Government of Odisha, Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Hon’ble Minister Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education in Government of Odisha, Shri Rudra Narayan Pany, Hon’ble MP, Dhenkanal, Shri Bibhuti Bhusan Pradhan, Hon’ble MLA, Parjang, Smt Simarani Nayak, Hon’ble MLA, Hindol, Shri Satrughan Jena, Hon’ble MLA, Kamakyanagar, and Pratap Chandra Pradhan, Hon’ble MLA, Angul
Somesh Kumar Upadhyay, IAS, Collector & DM, Dhenkanal, Abhinav Sonkar, Superintendent of Police, Dhenkanal, Sumit Kar, Divisional Forest Officer, Dhenkanal, D B Sundara Ramam, Vice President – Raw Materials, Tata Steel, Uttam Singh, Vice President – Operations, Tata Steel Meramandali, and Sandeep Dhir, CEO, Tata Steel Technical Services Limited were also present.
”My congratulations to the winners of this year’s Tata Steel Kapilash Half Marathon,” said D.B. Sundara Ramam, Vice President – Raw Materials, Tata Steel. “This initiative has grown each year, attracting diverse participants from across the country. Beyond promoting physical fitness, the half-marathon highlights our commitment to sustainable practices by raising awareness of biodiversity conservation and wildlife. This event has been bringing international-standard sporting event to this region to promote local talent.”
Shubham Sindhu from Haryana emerged as the winner in the 21km men’s category, while Bharti from Haryana claimed victory in the women’s 21 Km race.
“The Kapilash Half Marathon embodies Tata Steel’s commitment to fostering health, fitness, and community spirit,” said Uttam Singh, Vice President – Operations, Tata Steel Meramandali “As stewards of sustainable development, we believe such initiatives strengthen the bond between industry and society, promoting wellness while celebrating the spirit of determination. Together, we stride towards a healthier and fitter future,” he added.
To meet international standards, the event integrated cutting-edge technology, including timing mats, radio frequency chips, split timing mats, tracking cameras, and Wi-Fi networks. The route was certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), a global organisation representing marathon and distance running races worldwide. National-level agencies with expertise in organising similar runs across the country oversaw these enhancements.
Other industry bodies of the region – including MGM Minerals, NAVA Ltd, Indian Potash, Khemka Refractories, INOX Air Products, Tata 1mg, Tata Steel Technical Services Limited, Tata Steel Support Services Limited, Tata Steel Utility and Infrastructure Services Ltd, and Tata Pigments – have partnered the half marathon.
Winners List:
21Kms
| Event | Category | Categ Pos | Name | Gender | city | Net Time | Prize Money |
| Half Marathon | Female | 1 | Bharti . | Female | Haryana | 01:14:37 | 1,00,000 |
| Half Marathon | Female | 2 | Phoolan Pal | Female | Bhopal | 01:18:00 | 71,000 |
| Half Marathon | Female | 3 | Shyamali Singh | Female | 01:25:44 | 41,000 | |
| Half Marathon | Female | 4 | Sandhya Murmu | Female | Khurda | 01:29:54 | 31,000 |
| Half Marathon | Female | 5 | Mamina Murmu | Female | Khurda | 01:35:08 | 21,000 |
| Event | Category | Categ Pos | Name | Gender | city | Net Time | Prize Money | |
| Half Marathon | Male | 1 | Shubham Sindhu | Male | Haryana | 01:04:49 | 1,00,000 | |
| Half Marathon | Male | 2 | Upendra Pal | Male | Bhopal | 01:09:15 | 71,000 | |
| Half Marathon | Male | 3 | Sarat Kumar Dora | Male | Khurda | 01:24:54 | 41,000 | |
| Half Marathon | Male | 4 | Shiba Singh | Male | Baripada | 01:25:35 | 31,000 | |
| Half Marathon | Male | 5 | Alok Kumar Sahu | Male | Khurda | 01:29:32 | 21,000 |
10 Kms
| Event | Category | Categ Pos | Name | Gender | city | Net Time | Prize Money | |
| 10K Run | Male | 1 | Ajay Kumar Bind | Male | Up | 00:30:06 | 61,000 | |
| 10K Run | Male | 2 | Ashok Dandasena | Male | Angul | 00:31:05 | 41,000 | |
| 10K Run | Male | 3 | Rahulkumar Rajbhar | Male | Vanranasi | 00:31:30 | 31,000 | |
| 10K Run | Male | 4 | Aneesh Chandel | Male | Bilaspur | 00:32:36 | 21,000 | |
| 10K Run | Male | 5 | Pintu Kumar | Male | Gorakhpur | 00:32:52 | 11,000 | |
| Event | Category | Categ Pos | Name | Gender | city | Net Time | Prize Money | |
| 10K Run | Female | 1 | Susmita Tigga | Female | 00:38:10 | 61,000 | ||
| 10K Run | Female | 2 | Sunita . | Female | 00:38:32 | 41,000 | ||
| 10K Run | Female | 3 | Danmati Sabar | Female | Khurda | 00:40:01 | 31,000 | |
| 10K Run | Female | 4 | Swarnalata Sharma | Female | Khurda | 00:43:08 | 21,000 | |
| 10K Run | Female | 5 | Panchami Mallick | Female | Khurda | 00:46:22 | 11,000 |
5 Kms
| Event | Category | Categ Pos | Name | Gender | city | Net Time | Prize Money | |
| 5K Run | Male | 1 | Dolamani Chirgun | Male | 00:14:52 | 15,000 | ||
| 5K Run | Male | 2 | Subham Behera | Male | Khurda | 00:14:59 | 10,000 | |
| 5K Run | Male | 3 | Baghrai Murmu | Male | Khurda | 00:15:10 | 8,000 | |
| 5K Run | Male | 4 | Unit Sabar | Male | Khurda | 00:15:17 | 6,000 | |
| 5K Run | Male | 5 | Priyanshu Parida | Male | Dhenkanal | 00:15:15 | 5,000 | |
| Event | Category | Categ Pos | Name | Gender | city | Net Time | Prize Money | |
| 5K Run | Female | 1 | Sagarika Naik | Female | Khurda | 00:17:39 | 15,000 | |
| 5K Run | Female | 2 | Purnima Sandil | Female | Sundargarh | 00:18:37 | 10,000 | |
| 5K Run | Female | 3 | Namshi Samad | Female | Khurda | 00:19:11 | 8,000 | |
| 5K Run | Female | 4 | Mehek Begum | Female | Cuttack | 00:20:08 | 6,000 | |
| 5K Run | Female | 5 | Subhalaxmi Nath Sharma | Female | Khurda | 00:20:23 | 5,000 |
