Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026 Finisher’s Medal Unveiled as Delhi Prepares to Run on October 18

The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2026, a World Athletics Gold Label Race, has unveiled the Finisher’s Medal for its 21st edition, marking another milestone in one of the capital’s most prominent annual sporting events.

The medal was unveiled by Smt Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of the Government of NCT of Delhi, at the Delhi Secretariat on September 16. The race will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium serving as the starting and finishing point for thousands of runners from India and around the world.

For participants, the Finisher’s Medal represents the culmination of months of preparation, training and personal determination. For the event itself, it reflects more than two decades of growing participation and Delhi’s evolving relationship with running and fitness.

The 2026 Finisher’s Medal continues the event’s tradition of creating a distinctive memento for runners while connecting the race to India’s industrial and natural heritage. The medal has been crafted using high-quality zinc sourced from the historic Zawar Mines in Udaipur, one of the world’s oldest zinc mining sites. It has been produced by Hindustan Zinc Limited, part of the Vedanta Group.

The refreshed design gives the medal a distinctive new identity while retaining its significance as a symbol of achievement.

For every runner who crosses the finish line, the medal is intended to represent the effort behind that moment, the discipline required to train, the determination to continue and the personal satisfaction of completing the race.

Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Ltd and Non-Executive Director of Vedanta Ltd, said the medal represents strength, resilience and endurance. She also highlighted the company's #RunForZeroHunger campaign, through which every kilometre run carries a wider social purpose of helping nourish children and animals in need.

Delhi’s Running Movement Continues to Grow

The unveiling comes as the 2026 edition experiences significant interest from runners. Registrations for the Half Marathon closed within 100 hours, the fastest registration closure in the event’s history. Other participation categories have also received a strong response, with registrations for the Great Delhi Run, Champions with Disability and Senior Citizen Run filling rapidly.

The response highlights the growing popularity of running and fitness activities in the capital and the evolution of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon into a broader community event. The race brings together elite athletes, amateur runners, senior citizens and participants with disabilities, creating a sporting platform that extends beyond competitive performance.

Rekha Gupta said the event's focus on health, fitness, women's participation and its wider socio-economic and charitable impact has made it an important initiative for Delhi. “The enthusiasm and joy of the participants is truly inspiring,” she said, adding that the Delhi Government would support efforts to make the 2026 edition successful. Delhi Minister of Labour, Employment and Tourism Kapil Mishra also described the half marathon as an annual calendar event for the capital. He highlighted the role of sporting events in promoting Delhi as a tourism destination and said the Delhi Government and Delhi Tourism were committed to supporting such initiatives.

The event's association with the FIT India Movement also connects the race with the broader national emphasis on fitness and active lifestyles.

For the organisers, the Finisher’s Medal is an important part of the participant experience. Vivek Singh, Joint Managing Director of Procam International, said the organisers aim each year to create a medal that carries meaning and becomes a cherished memory for runners. The event also encourages participants to use their participation to raise funds and contribute to charitable causes, adding a social dimension to the sporting challenge.

IDFC FIRST Bank Chief Marketing Officer Shreepad Shende similarly linked the medal's symbolism of consistency, discipline and perseverance with the long-term process of achieving financial wellbeing. These partnerships underline how the half marathon has developed into a platform that combines sport, community participation, fitness and social impact.

With the Half Marathon registration already closed and strong interest across the other categories, Delhi is preparing for another major day on its sporting calendar. The 21st edition will see runners take to the streets of the national capital on October 18, with the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium providing the setting for the event. 

The race continues to receive support from several government and sporting bodies, including the Government of NCT of Delhi, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Sports Authority of India, Athletics Federation of India, Delhi Police, New Delhi Municipal Council, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Indian Army, alongside World Athletics, AIMS and other organisations.

As the countdown continues, the newly unveiled medal provides runners with a tangible reminder of what awaits at the finish line.

For thousands preparing to run through Delhi, however, the value of the medal will ultimately go beyond its design or material. It will represent the kilometres completed, the challenges overcome and the personal achievement of reaching the finish line on October 18.