Vadodara: The 13th edition of the Vadodara International Marathon (VIM) will be organised on Sunday, February 1, at Navlakhi Maidan. This year’s event has witnessed a record registration of nearly 1.10 lakh runners from across India and abroad, making it one of the largest sporting events in the region.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi will be present to flag off the marathon. Participants will compete in multiple categories, including the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 km Run, 5 km Run, Divyang Paralympic Run, Jawan Run, Gajra Run, and the popular Fun Run.

Event Schedule and Race Categories

To manage the large number of participants, staggered reporting and flag-off timings have been planned:

42.195 km (Full Marathon)

• Reporting: 3:40 am

• Flag-off: 4:10 am

Route: Start from Navlakhi Ground – Akota–Dandiya Bazar Cross Road – Kothi Cross Road – Raopura Road – Tower Cross Road – Jubilee Baug – Padmavati Shopping Centre – Laheripura Gate – M.G. Road – Mandvi Gate – right turn at Gendigate – Pratapnagar Bridge – left turn at Baroda Dairy towards IRIE – turn at Tarsali Landmark – Guru Nanak Circle – return via Susen Road – Makarpura Police Station – left onto Lalbaug Road – Lalbaug Bridge – left onto Vishwamitri Road – Mujmahuda Shivaji Chowk – left at Akshar Chowk – O.P. Road – under Atal Bridge – left onto Court Road – Time Circle – Nilamber Circle – Priya Talkies Cross Road – left onto Vasna–Bhayli Canal Road – Nayara Petrol Pump – Vasna Waves Club Road – Era International School Road – Vihav Sky One – U-turn after 75 metres – return towards Nayara Petrol Pump – Priya Talkies – Sevasi Canal Road – U-turn at Pickle Madness – Priya Talkies Cross Road – Nilamber Circle – Time Circle – Yog Circle – Gay Circle – Solar Panel – Navlakhi Ground.

21.098 km (Half Marathon)

• Reporting: 3:55 am

• Flag-off: 4:25 am

Route: Navlakhi Ground – Akota–Dandiya Bazar Cross Road – Kothi – Raopura – Tower – Jubilee Baug – Padmavati Complex – left turn at Laheripura Gate – Mandvi Gate – right at Gendigate – Pratapnagar Bridge – OGNC Gate – left at Baroda Dairy – Tarsali Guru Nanak Chowk – right at Guru Nanak Chowk – left onto Tarsali Road – Susen Road – right at Bhavans Circle – left onto Manjalpur Road – left at Lalbaug Bridge – Vishwamitri Road – Mujmahuda – left at Shivaji Chowk – Akshar Chowk – right onto O.P. Road – under Atal Bridge – right from Yog Circle – Sayajinagar Gruh – Gay Circle – Akota Bridge Cross Road – Solar Panel – Navlakhi Ground.

10 km Run

• Reporting: 5:30 am

• Flag-off: 6:00 am

Route: Navlakhi Ground – right onto Rajmahal Road – Lalbaug Under Bridge – Vishwamitri Bridge – left at Mujmahuda Shivaji Chowk – right at Akshar Chowk – O.P. Road – under Atal Bridge – right at Yog Circle – Sayajinagar Gruh – Cow Circle – Akota Bridge Cross Road – Solar Panel.

5.65 km Run

• Reporting: 4:45 am

• Flag-off: 5:15 am

Route: Navlakhi Ground – left turn towards Akota–Dandiya Bazar Cross Road – Jail Road – Jetalpur Bridge – left towards Cow Circle – left towards Akota Bridge – Solar Panel.

All races will begin from Navlakhi Ground, with routes passing through major city landmarks including Rajmahal Road, the GPO area, and prominent traffic circles before returning to the starting point.

Speaking about the event, VIM Chairperson Tejal Amin said the marathon—now recognised as Asia’s largest non-metro marathon—strongly focuses on social awareness initiatives such as Drug-Free India and Fit India. She said nearly one lakh participants will take a collective pledge for a drug-free India, setting a new record.

“Our core values revolve around sports, cleanliness, service, and sustainability. The marathon is not merely a race but a movement towards a green and healthy future,” she said. She added that the event has played a crucial role in promoting fitness awareness and encouraging healthy lifestyle changes among citizens.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community will participate in the marathon for the first time, marking a significant step towards inclusivity. Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad of the erstwhile royal family of Baroda will also take part in the run alongside them. Speaking on the initiative, she emphasised that the marathon offers a safe and inclusive platform for the community.

More than 700 registrations have been received from LGBTQ+ participants from across India, not limited to Gujarat. The initiative aims to promote equal rights, dignity, and social inclusion through sports.

To strengthen sustainability efforts, the organisers have formed an SDG Club to educate over one lakh school students in Vadodara about the Sustainable Development Goals, along with spreading awareness on plastic waste management and recycling.

The 5 km Heritage Fun Run will focus on motivating the younger generation in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Fit India campaign.

The details were shared during a press conference held at Grand Mercure Surya Palace Hotel, Sayajiganj, attended by Chairperson Tejal Amin, MP Dr. Hemang Joshi, Co-Chairman Sameer Khera, Marathon Director Nilesh Shukla, Charge Zone Director Kinnari Haryani, and other officials. DeshGujarat