Vadodara set for 9th Edition of the MG Vadodara International Marathon

Will flagged off by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on 5th January 2020

Vadodara is all set for the 9th edition of MG Vadodara Marathon scheduled on 5th January 2020. The marathon returns with the Full Marathon 42.195 kms, Half Marathon 21.098 kms, Quarter Marathon 10.5 kms, Inox Divyang Paralympic Run, Linde Swacchata Run, Rameshwar Transport Jawan Run, AU Bank NGO Pledge Run and Marathon Relay.

The total number of registrations this year is 1,00,187 registered runners which includes 73 international runners, 23294 corporate runners, 1708 divyang participants, 37,390 School runners, 10,285 College goers, 4746 Individual Runners , 84 from 21 Relay teams, 1158 Jawaans and 21,606 participants from NGOs. This year also has the highest number of Timed Run registrations touching a peak with 9575 registrations.

The 9th edition of the MG Vadodara Marathon will be flagged off by Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani giving the race the unique distinction of being the race flagged off by the Chief Minister of Gujarat on all editions.

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The timed runs will be flagged off by Minister of Cooperation, Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities, Transportation Government of Gujarat, Ishwarsinh Patel. The Speaker of Gujarat Legislative Assembly Rajendra Trivedi and Yogesh Patel Minister of State, Narmada, Urban Housing will also be present at the Flag Off.

The presence of new Brand Ambassador Padmashree Dr. Deepa Malik, Khel Ratna Arjuna Awardee and paralympic athlete will add further sparkle to the event scheduled on Sunday.

Speaking on the highlights of this year’s marathon Tejal Amin, Chairperson of the Vadodara International Marathon, said, ‘In the 9th year of this historic race of Vadodara we are excited to welcome back our established champions from all over the nation and the world. Their return is testimony to the tradition and legacy that is the Vadodara Marathon. We are blessed with the support that our participants give us as echoed in their own words, Bajrang and Asha Singh, senior Full Marathon veteran couple from Lucknow praised the VM with another Full Marathon veteran Priti Lala rates us higher than the Mumbai Marathon because of the overwhelming city support and cheer to the runners. Our commitment to a fit nation is echoed in our theme for 2020 which carries forward the message of Prime Minister for Fitness in every household. We have been successful in making this cause popular as judged from the success of our two activities, the Vamo Fit Step and the Junior Marathon. Vadodara Marathon is once again at the forefront of making this initiative an accepted one”.

The VaMo Fitstep Challenge has been a resounding success on ground and on social media involving the participation of homemakers, Corporate sector professionals, schools and institutes from all age groups. The MGVM2020 Junior Marathon was organized to promote fitness amongst small chilldren and had 4500 tiny tots running with enthusiasm.

Manish Manek, Plant Head Halol, MG Motor India in his message said “Our third consecutive partnership with the MG Vadodara Marathon underlines our commitment to promoting fitness in the community around where our manufacturing facility is located. The aim is to contribute towards a healthy society in Vadodara where most of our employees are also located. We are proud to promote and celebrate the spirit of running, fitness and healthy living as the primary sponsor of this landmark event in the country’s national sporting calendar. We look forward to a continued partnership in the years to come and build awareness around key aspects of health and diversity,”

The MG Vadodarara Marathon has arranged special fitness checkups for the runners and categorized those who may need extra attention on race day with a red cross stamp. On race day the organisers is setting new benchmarks in runner’s comfort by introducing more medical booths, upgraded after race recovery zones and more monitoring stations.

MG Vadodara International Marathon has been invited to be part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group Qualifying Events giving runners a chance to win World Ranking Points. With this entry the MGVM 2020 enters an elite group of international marathons which include the Tokyo, Boston, Virgin Money London, BMW BERLIN, Bank of America Chicago and TCS New York City Marathons.