From business owners and executives to professionals and students of all genders, this event stands out for its unique ability to foster community spirit and showcase leadership in action on October 20th.

New Delhi. Sporting events like a Half Marathon provide the perfect opportunity to bring a community together, and the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon is no different. From business owners and executives to professionals and students of all genders, this event stands out for its unique ability to foster community spirit and showcase leadership in action on October 20th.

A ‘pacer’ role in the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon is to set aside time from their demanding schedules to guide and inspire other runners through the race and help them to the finish line. Their participation breaks down societal barriers as executives and corporate heads directly share their knowledge and experience with runners from all walks of life.

Volunteering their precious time to be pacers for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, they are experienced runners who are also leaders in their respective fields. These corporate maestros will act as motivators as they support the participants through the challenging 21-kilometer course.

Pacers play a crucial role in a half marathon, particularly in the 21K event. They help runners maintain consistency, offer encouragement, and act as the difference between a runner completing the race or not. Their involvement goes beyond mere pacing; they shed their usual work life to become running coaches and impart valuable advice earned from years of running at such events.

Among the 21K pacers, Delhi NCR leads the pack with seven impressive representatives. This strong showing from the capital region is complemented by a diverse group of runners hailing from across India. Bangalore, Haryana, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Hosur, Indore, and Lucknow each contribute one pacer, highlighting the widespread enthusiasm for the event.

The all-women 10K pacer contingent showcases a similar geographical spread, albeit with a more concentrated representation. Once again, Delhi NCR demonstrates its running prowess, providing seven pacers. The team is rounded out by two runners from beyond the capital region, with Mumbai and Darjeeling each sending one pacer.

Gautam Pande is the Chief Transformation Officer at GreyOrange, a Warehouse Robotics company based in Gurgaon. But on Sunday, October 20, he will be one of the leading pacers at the 21K event. With a BUS time of 1:40, Gautam emphasizes the importance of winning the battle of the mind during such races and also speaks about how the pacers help the participants overcome any challenges.

“The role of a pacer is to provide guidance and inspiration. We help runners believe in themselves and give their very best. Much of the battle in faster half marathon times is mental, so we try to calm nerves and provide support. This support starts before the race, often a week before pre-race jitters begin. We use WhatsApp groups and other channels to communicate with our pace group, ensuring everyone stays calm, focused, and well-rested before the big day. And on race day, we are there to lead from the front. These tips from experienced runners can go a long way in helping others achieve their personal bests,” said Gautam.

As much as pacers are required in the 21-kilometer run, they are equally important for the 10-kilometer event. At the upcoming Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, the 10-kilometer event promises to be an exciting blend of endurance and speed. The 10-kilometer run will feature an all-women contingent of pacers. Nine skilled female runners are set to lead the way, setting the pace and inspiring participants throughout the course. This group of accomplished women will play a crucial role in shaping the rhythm and energy of the run.

The pacers for this event face a unique challenge: They must balance the demands of stamina and velocity in their guidance of fellow runners.

With an impressive BUS time of 55 minutes, Aarti Bardan is among the nine pacers for the 10K event. Speaking about her role as a pacer at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, Aarti said, “Completing a 10K is as challenging as completing a Half Marathon, even for experienced runners. Maintaining an even pace throughout is crucial. Consistent pacing can help runners conserve energy for a final push near the finish line, and this is where our team will help the participants. I’m looking forward to sharing this advice during the race and ensuring that everyone can finish and experience the joy of completing the 10K – a true testament to their spirit and dedication.”

Corporate Pacers (21KM)

Vijayaraghavan Venugopal, CEO of nutrition brand FAST&UP (Bangalore-1:30m Bus); Gautam Pande, CTO of IT company GreyOrange (Gurgaon-1.40m Bus); Keshav Manik Thala, an Ultramarathon runner who has got the distinction of World Champion (Haryana-1.45m Bus); Dr. Amit Ballani, a Consultant Radiologist for the Indian Railways (New Delhi-1.50m Bus); Pankaj Madaan, Head IMC at TECNO Mobile India           (Gurgaon-1.55m Bus); Jaideep Singh Ghai, a runner who also loves to swim (Mumbai-1.59m Bus); Shingo Kuriyama, Managing Director at Mani Medical India (New Delhi-2.00hr Bus); Sanjay Chhabra, he is a finance professional with 25+ years association with industries across B2B & B2C segments, (New Delhi-2.05m Bus); Hussian Mohd Patel (Tamil Nadu-2.10m Bus); Vineet Agarwal, Founder & CEO, T10Sports (Gurgaon-2.15m Bus); Thandeswaran Periyasam (Hosur-2.20m Bus); Rashmi Mohanty, CFO for a large NBFC (Gurgaon-2 hr 25m Bus); Hirday Punjani (Gurgaon-2.30m Bus); Saurabh Jain (Indore-2.35m Bus); Shekhar Chaurasia (Lucknow-2.40m Bus).           

All women 10K Pacers (10KM)

Aarti Bardan (New Delhi-55m Bus); Shivani Verma (Gurgaon-58m Bus); Ayesha Mansukhani (Mumbai-59m Bus); Dickey Palzom Bhutia (Darjeeling-60m Bus); Mekhla Maheshwari (Gurgaon-65m Bus); Maya Nair (Noida-70m Bus); Anjali Grover (Gurgaon-75m Bus); Dimple Thakur (New Delhi-75m Bus); Sangeeta Shiledar (Gurgaon-80m Bus)

The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon will be flagged from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on 20th October 2024.

The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon will be telecast live on Sony Sports 1, on October 20 from 6:15 am onwards.