WNC Navy half marathon 2022 – fifth edition
Over 15,000 runners participate
The fifth edition of the IndianOil WNC Indian Navy Half Marathon was conducted on 20th November 2022 at Mumbai. The event was centred at Azad Maidan, organised by the Indian Navy and had the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) as the principal partner. More than 15,000 enthusiastic runners participated in it with commendable josh and vigour under three race categories – the 21.1 Km Aircraft Carrier Run, the 10 Km Destroyer Run and the 5 Km Frigate Run. The event was one of the many outreach activities conducted by the Western Naval Command as part of Navy Day 2022 activities. It has grown exponentially since its inception six years back and, after a three-year gap imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has returned as perhaps the second largest running event of Mumbai and the fifth largest in India. It provided the citizens of Mumbai a golden opportunity to run shoulder-to-shoulder with men and women in whites.
Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command was the Chief Guest and flagged off the Aircraft Carrier Run at 0530h. The Destroyer Run was flagged off by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM, Chief of Staff and Shri UP Singh, Executive Director (HR) Indian Oil at 0615h. The Frigate Run was flagged off by Rear Admiral KP Arvindan,VSM, Admiral Superintendent of Naval Dockyard Mumbai and Shri UP Singh, Executive Director (HR) IndianOil.
The Indian Navy and Indian Oil gave the participants a race day experience to remember. Each registered participant received a high quality dry-fit T-shirt and a wonderfully crafted 3D finisher’s medallion, in addition to abundant hydration, nutrition, medical and recovery support provided during and after the runs. The proactive support of the Mumbai Police and BMC gave participants an enriching run experience.
This year’s marathon carried the message “Clean Coasts and Clean Seas Make Healthy Lives” and laid special emphasis on reducing the carbon footprint during conduct of the event. 100% recyclable paper cups and branding material (PVC-free and certified by CIPET) were used for it.
Prizes for Open Category winners of 5K event were awarded by Shri UP Singh, Executive Director (HR), for the 10K event by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of Staff and Mrs. Laila Swaminathan, and for 21K by Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command and Mrs. Charu Singh. Mr. Raj Tiwari, Mr. Kamal Kumar and Mr. Sanket Masane stood first in male category of 21K, 10K and 5K runs respectively. Ms. Rukamini Bhoure, Ms. Amrita Patel and Ms. Gayatri Shinde stood first in 21K, 10K and 5K runs respectively in the female category. Winners in each race category received specially handcrafted mementos of nautical flavour that will remind them of their association with the event for years to come.
Eminent sports personalities of the Indian Navy, Lt Rahul Turan, Suresh Kumar MCPO I, BL Bayaskar MCPO I, Muhammed Anas Yahiya CPO, Eldhose Paul PO COM (TEL) and Saif Tamboli PO (US) were also felicitated by the Commander-in-Chief on the occasion. All finishers were individually felicitated by men in uniform, making it a proud moment for them.
While the IOCL was the Navy’s Principal Partner for the event, Associate Partners were Limca, SBI and Mazagon Dock Limited. M/s Saransh (Fitpage) was the Race Management Partner.
Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh expressed his extreme delight on the occasion and stated that the Western Naval Command organizes this race on the third Sunday of November each year to promote fitness, health and camaraderie, and strengthen the connect between the Navy and the city of Mumbai. The fact that over 15,000 runners participated in the race and went away with happy sentiments and a great race experience reflected the success of the Navy’s outreach, he said. Let us all continue to work together in the same manner to make India more fit, strong, healthy, clean and united, he concluded.
