Eldeco Times Half Marathon Crowns Champions in Lucknow
The Eldeco Times Half Marathon, organized by The Times of India and NBT to champion health and an active lifestyle, witnessed thrilling races and remarkable athletic performances across various age groups in Lucknow on Sunday. The event highlighted the city's growing running culture with participants pushing their limits in a display of endurance and competitive spirit.
Male 18–30 Category: Rajneesh Kumar Leads the Pack
In the highly competitive Male 18–30 category, Rajneesh Kumar emerged victorious with an outstanding timing of 1:20:08, securing the gold medal. The race for the podium spots was fiercely contested, with Pranav Wadhwa finishing second at 2:08:00 and Vikas claiming third place with a time of 2:08:38. Their performances underscored the depth of talent among young runners in the region.
Open Male Category: Saurabh Baluni Takes Top Honors
The Open Male category saw Saurabh Baluni dominate the field, clocking an impressive 0:40:35 to bag the gold medal. His swift finish set a high standard for the event, emphasizing the elite level of competition present at the marathon.
Other Category Highlights and Close Finishes
Across other age brackets, runners delivered strong showings with several nail-biting finishes. In the Male 31–40 category, Jayadeep Bhivaji Handi clinched first place with a timing of 1:44:09, narrowly edging past Sandeep Nayan Singh, who clocked 1:44:14. Aman Kumar secured third position at 1:46:44.
Wg Cdr SP Khan dominated the Male 41–50 category, finishing in an impressive 1:28:12, followed by Mayank Awasthi (1:34:26) and Dr Om Prakash Yadav (1:41:05).
In the Female 41–50 category, ZA KAP Engineer topped the chart with 2:00:59, ahead of Anjali Chaurasia (2:08:42) and Parul Verma (2:16:06).
The event also celebrated winners in senior categories, with Anil Kapoor leading the Male 51–60 group and Rajendra Hardaha finishing first in the 61+ category. Additionally, the 10 km race in the female category was won by Lucky, who clocked 0:47:20.
Prize Distribution and Inspirational Voices
Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak presided over the prize distribution ceremony, honoring the winners for their exceptional achievements. The marathon not only showcased athletic prowess but also inspired community engagement in fitness activities.
Sharing his experience, retired Col Rajeev Kumar, who finished second in the 61+ male category, expressed his passion for running, stating, "Running is always a pleasure. At 63, I still feel young. I urge all Lucknowites to join." His words resonated with the event's core message of promoting an active lifestyle across all age groups.
The Eldeco Times Half Marathon successfully brought together runners from diverse backgrounds, fostering a spirit of healthy competition and community wellness in Lucknow.
