NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, OCT 26
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to ignite a wave of patriotism and fitness with the Sekhon IAF Marathon 2025 (SIM-25) on November 2, uniting lakhs of citizens and air warriors in a nationwide tribute to courage, discipline, and unity. The flagship event will be flagged off from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, with simultaneous runs at Gandhinagar, Chennai, and 60 Air Force Stations across India — making it one of the largest synchronized patriotic fitness events in the country.
This marathon honours Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, the Param Vir Chakra recipient who laid down his life defending the skies over Srinagar during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, epitomizing the IAF’s core values — courage, commitment, and country first.
- Marathon honours Param Vir Chakra hero Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon — India’s symbol of courage and sacrifice
- Grand events in Gandhinagar (Gujarat), Chennai, and New Delhi unite citizens and air warriors across 60 IAF bases
- “Run with Pride, Soar with Spirit” — IAF’s clarion call for a fitter, stronger, and more patriotic India
“Flying Officer Sekhon’s courage continues to inspire every generation. As we run, we remember his fearless service and renew our pledge to keep India’s tricolour flying high,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, extending his best wishes to all participants.
A NATION ON THE MOVE
Under the theme “Run with Pride, Soar with Spirit,” SIM-25 will feature Half Marathon (21.097 km), 10 km, and 5 km categories for service personnel, civilians, and fitness enthusiasts alike. The Half Marathon will begin at 5:30 a.m., followed by the 10 km and 5 km runs at 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., respectively.
Expected to draw more than 93,000 runners, the event is powered by IOCL, presented by IDFC First Bank, and supported by HAL and BEL. It not only showcases athletic excellence but also embodies the shared spirit of national unity and discipline that defines the Indian Air Force.
“This marathon is not merely a run — it’s a salute to the spirit of our air warriors and the citizens who stand with them,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, commending the IAF for inspiring the nation through the power of fitness and service.
CELEBRATING UNITY AND STRENGTH
In Gandhinagar, hundreds of Air Force personnel, NCC cadets, and students are expected to take part along the vibrant GIFT City stretch. In Chennai, the run at Tambaram Air Force Station will transform the coastal base into a sea of tricolours, with airmen and citizens running shoulder to shoulder.
“Every participant — whether in Delhi, Gandhinagar, or Chennai — carries forward the message that our strength lies in unity, discipline, and fitness,” said Air Marshal P. Singh, Air Officer-in-Charge (Personnel).
Beyond fitness, the Sekhon IAF Marathon is a national movement promoting integrity, inclusivity, and well-being, aligned with the Fit India Movement. Organized under the Air Force Sports Control Board, SIM-25 promises world-class arrangements with hydration points, medical stations, and volunteer support at all venues.
As the sun rises on November 2, India will run as one — not just to celebrate fitness, but to honour the legacy of a hero who dared the impossible.
For registration and details, visit www.sekhoniafmarathon.in or email info@sekhoniafmarathon.in.
