Bhubaneswar: Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) successfully organized the highly anticipated Coal India Bhubaneswar Half Marathon on Sunday, marking the 50th anniversary of Coal India Limited.
The historic event took place at the iconic Kalinga Stadium, with a prize pool of Rs 45.34 Lakhs, attracting over 5,600 enthusiastic participants from across the country.
The event saw a diverse group of participants, including professional marathon runners, fitness enthusiasts, and people of all ages.
Among the dignitaries present were Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Minister of Sports & Youth Services Suryanshi Suraj, MP of Bargarh Pradip Purohit, MLAs Ashok Mohanty (Pallahara), Agasti Behera (Chhendipada), Pratap Chandra Pradhan (Angul), and Braja Kishore Pradhan (Talcher), Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Chairman of Coal India PM Prasad, CMD of MCL Uday Anant Kaole, along with other directors and senior officials from Coal India, MCL, and various districts of Odisha.
The event was graced by Olympian and renowned Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal, who served as the ambassador. She inspired the participants with her unwavering dedication to sports and emphasized the importance of fitness in life.
The event featured several categories, including the 21km Half Marathon, 10km Run, 5km Run, and a Half-Kilometer Fun Run. Participants showed unity and determination, making the event fun and competitive for both experienced athletes and beginners. Many took part not only for the sport but also to honor Coal India and MCL’s remarkable contribution to the nation’s energy security. The event was organized in collaboration with the Department of Sports, Government of Odisha, and was a great success.
Lili Das from West Bengal and Prince Kumar from Uttar Pradesh were the overall winners of the Half Marathon in the female and male categories, respectively. Deputy CM Parida, event ambassador Saina Nehwal, and other dignitaries presented the prize money to the winners in different categories.
This event highlighted Coal India’s legacy while promoting the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle. Coal India and MCL reaffirm their commitment to ensuring the nation’s energy security while encouraging fitness and well-being across the country.
Here is the list of winners who participated in the race:
Winners list
