10,000 runners to take part in Swachhathon Marathon

Vijayawada: Swachha Andhra Corporation Chairman Kommaredy Pattabhi Ram said that around 10,000 runners were expected to participate in the second edition of the Swachhathon Marathon, to be organised in the Vijayawada-Amaravati region on October 2 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and Swachh Diwas.

Speaking at a press conference in Vijayawada on Tuesday, Pattabhi Ram said the marathon was aimed at creating greater public awareness about cleanliness, sanitation and health. Inspired by the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the State government had been promoting the Swarna Andhra-Swachha Andhra movement since January 2025 under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, he said.

He said the first edition of the Swachhathon Run held last year received a good response, with around 6,000 to 7,000 runners participating. HDFC Bank is the title sponsor of the second edition. The marathon will feature 5K, 10K and 21K (half marathon) categories, with cash prizes totalling Rs 10 lakh for the winners.

He said the marathon would be flagged off by Minister for Human Resources Development, IT and RTG Nara Lokesh from the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) Stadium at 5 am on October 2.

Health, Medical and Family Welfare Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav, Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh and Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana, along with MPs, MLAs and other public representatives, besides personalities from the film and sports sectors, are expected to participate.

Explaining the route, he said the marathon would cover the Police Control Room, Vinayaka Temple, Seethamma Vari Padalu, Krishna Barrage and Steel Bridge before reaching the Manthena Satyanarayana Raju Ashram in the Amaravati capital region and returning to Vijayawada.

Pattabhi Ram said NTR District Collector Dr G Lakshmisha, the Vijayawada Police Commissionerate and VMC Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra were coordinating arrangements for security and route clearance. Timing bibs for participants in the 10K and 21K categories would be issued at Amma Kalyana Mandapam.

He said drummers, cultural performances, Zumba and other entertainment programmes would be arranged along the route to encourage runners. Amaravati Runners is the organising partner, HDFC Bank the title sponsor and Medstar Hospitals the medical partner.

Pattabhi Ram said registration was mandatory for the 10K and 21K categories, while those without registration would also be allowed to participate in the 5K run. He said the marathon would serve as a curtain-raiser for the forthcoming Dasara festivities in Vijayawada and called for greater public participation in building a clean and healthy Andhra Pradesh. Amaravati Runners representative Ravi Ramesh, HDFC Area Head of Operations representative Pavan, Medstar Hospitals representative Prem and others were present.

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