Visually impaired, physically challenged among runners of Manipal Marathon – 2025

Over 300 visually impaired persons and more than 200 physically challenged individuals were among over 20,000 runners who took part in the seventh edition of Manipal Marathon – 2025 in Manipal on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Over 300 visually impaired persons and more than 200 physically challenged individuals were among over 20,000 runners who took part in the seventh edition of Manipal Marathon – 2025 in Manipal on Sunday.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) organised the event to celebrate fitness, inclusion, and innovation.

The theme of the marathon was ‘innovation in motion: embracing technology for health and fitness.’

Samarthanam Trust and Ganga Foundation ensured and encouraged the participation of visually impaired persons and physically challenged, a release from MAHE said.

Full marathon winners

Sachin Poojary from Katpady, Udupi bagged the first prize in the men’s category of 42 km full marathon. M. Nanjundappa from Bengaluru was the runner up and Cheruiyot Daniel from Kenya secured the third prize. Lesharge Senait Kefelegn from Ethiopia won the race in the female category. T.P. Aasa from Kerala bagged the second prize while Shakuntala Devi from Delhi secured the third prize.

In addition, there were half marathon of 21 km run and 10 km run.

Global virtual run

An addition to this year’s event was the ‘Manipal Global Virtual 5K Run’ introduced for the first time in which as many as 7,000 runners took part, the release added.

This initiative allowed runners from all over the world to participate remotely, making the marathon more inclusive and accessible to a global audience, it said.

Over 100 international athletes from the US, France, Germany, England, Türkiye, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Japan, Uganda, Malawi, Congo, Ghana, Sudan, Abu Dhabi UAE, and Australia participated in the run.

Fitness enthusiasts and students from across districts performed Zumba and fitness sessions to celebrate the marathon, the release added.

Speaking on the occasion H.S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor, MAHE, said that the marathon was more than just a race. “It is a celebration of resilience, innovation, and community spirit,” he said.

M.D. Venkatesh, Vice-Chancellor, MAHE said that the marathon highlighted the power of digital transformation in engaging runners worldwide and promoting a healthier future.