Dateline Dehradun: The first edition of VEERATHON 2025 held in Dehradun was s resounding success. With eight hundred first time participants, this half marathon premier event featured multiple race categories. Open to all ages and levels of fitness – whether you’re a seasoned runner, an adventure enthusiast, or just looking for a fun day out, VEERATHON was a steal show.
Aimed to support the transformation of ancestral homes of the brave Veterans and Veer Naaris’ (widows of fallen soldiers) of the Indian Armed Forces residing in Uttarakhand, into home-stays thereby promoting tourism, helping reverse migration and securing our borders, the event was organised by Metamorphes Foundation and NBT.
The 5 categories: 21 km Half Marathon, 10 km Run, 5 km Run, 3 km Run for casual runners, 1 km Fun Run for Children, encouraged young participants raising awareness about fitness and patriotism.
Cash prizes worth upto INR 2 Lakhs were awarded to winners in various categories along with exciting hand-outs to all participants. The prizes were given away by Chief Guest Maj Gen Rohan Anand, SM, ADG NCC Uttarakhand and the Guest of Honour Rear Admiral Peush Pawsey, Joint Chief Hydrographer, NHO, Indian Navy.
Winners included Col Krishan Badhwar, Capt Anuj Kumar, Maj Shashi Mehta and Pooja Negi. Some highlights were Para athletes running 5 Km, people running in the age group of 60-80 years 10 kms, Blade runner, a lady drapped in sari ran 12km, a mother and her two sons won in 10 kms category, a 71 year old runner won along with children with special needs from Raphael Centre taking part in the 1 km fun-run.
With an impressive 800 plus runners participating, VEERATHON’S Star runners included the likes of Major General Vikram Dev Dogra (Retd) AVSM, (Ironman of India), Major DP Singh (Blade Runner), Ashok Bhanse (Running with Prosthetic leg) and Major Shashi Mehta.
Support Our Heroes NGO has been assisting needy Ex-soldiers and their families since 2017 across 20 states, particularly those excluded from existing policies or facing long delays. Also a mention about Martyr Tushar Mahajan Memorial Trust, who sponsored cash prizes in female category, established by the parents of Captain Tushar Mahajan.
Metamorphes Foundation was supported by Honorpoint, Support Our Heroes (SOH), represented by Col R D Sharma (Retd), Col Sorabh Jain (Retd) and Mr Gaurav Shukla who participated in the Marathon.
Slated for March next year the 2nd edition of VEERATHON will provide free participation for winners.
