Jaipur: 21/12/12024: During the 9th edition of the Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon (VPCHM) in Jaipur, 1 lakh meals were raised to support children and animals. Nearly 15,000 participants joined forces in the #RunForZeroHunger movement, with Vedanta promising to nourish a child and feed an animal for every kilometer run, in collaboration with its social impact arm, the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF).
In the 2023 VPCHM, runners helped provide over 1 lakh meals to children at Nand Ghar, AAF’s flagship initiative. This year, AAF expanded its focus to support animals as well, adopting the ‘One Health’ approach, which links the health of people, animals, and the environment. The ‘Meals for All’ initiative will benefit both children in 6,600 Nand Ghars and animals through The Animal Care Organization (TACO). Building on the success of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, VPCHM 2024 continues Vedanta’s commitment to addressing hunger and malnutrition across India.
Organized by AnyBody Can Run (ABCR), a virtual platform for online running challenges, and backed by Vedanta, the marathon began at NRI Chauraha, Mahal Road, Jaipur. Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc Ltd & Executive Director of Vedanta Ltd, and Dino Morea, Actor & Event Ambassador of the Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon, were present to flag off the event.
The Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon featured three race categories: the 21 km Half Marathon, the 10 km Cool Run, and the 5 km Dream Run. Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director of Vedanta Limited, praised the event’s success, highlighting its role in uniting thousands of runners for the #RunForZeroHunger cause. She emphasized that the marathon helped advance Vedanta’s mission of nourishing children and feeding animals, with over 1 lakh meals raised. She also noted the company’s broader commitment through initiatives like the Nand Ghars network and partnerships for animal welfare, underscoring the power of collective action.
Dr Manoj Soni, Founder of AnyBody Can Run (ABCR), highlighted the transformative impact of the marathon, saying, “Running is a metaphor for life — pushing boundaries and embracing challenges. Today, every runner has not only crossed the finish line but also contributed to a larger mission. It’s heartwarming to see how this event inspires change, one step at a time.”
Mini-marathons were organized in Jaipur and Barmer to bring people together for the cause. Indian sprinter Sufiya Sufi also expressed her support for #RunForZeroHunger.
This marathon exemplifies how participative sports can create social change, with each runner contributing to a better future. Every participant received a finisher’s medal made from high-grade zinc sourced from Rajasthan’s Zawar Mines, produced by Hindustan Zinc Limited, a Vedanta Group company. This medal represents the lasting impact of each runner’s dedication to the #RunForZeroHunger movement.
