New Delhi: More than 41,000 runners are set to lace up for Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (VDHM) this Sunday, marking a record turnout across its on-ground and virtual categories.Ahead of the race day, promoter Procam International Wednesday outlined arrangements planned for participants in World Athletics Gold Label Road Race. Minor changes are being made to the half-marathon route, while Open 10K will start from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 7.35am instead of Sansad Marg and follow a revised course.“It is a bit tough to work through the normal route as there is so much barricading at some places. So, we have made a few alterations and the final route is expected in a couple of days,” said Vivek Singh, joint managing director of Procam International.Hydration partner Bisleri will set up 12 water stations, nine rehydration stations and three mist zones along the route. A Red Bull station will also be positioned along the course. Runners will pass through 12 motivation zones featuring sponsor-led activities and performances by Navy Band, Delhi Drummers Circle and Youth for Seva groups.Medical partner Metro Group of Hospitals will deploy 450 medical staff, with 11 medical stations along the route, two in the holding area and one in the post-refreshment area. A medical base camp with an ICU setup will be established beyond the finish line, said the event’s co-medical directors, Dr Sameer Gupta, senior interventional cardiologist, group head of cardiac cath labs and director at Metro Group of Hospitals, and Dr Sonia Lal Gupta, senior neurologist and joint managing director of the group.“The arrangements also include 25 medical spotters and nine medics on bikes. Twelve advanced cardiac life support ambulances and three golf carts will be deployed to handle medical emergencies,” said Dr Sameer.All registered Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon participants can travel free on Delhi Metro Sunday, which will begin services at 3.30am on the Red, Yellow, Blue and Violet lines, covering key catchment areas. Trains will run every 15 minutes until 4.15am, then every 20 minutes until regular scheduled services begin.Mohinder Yadav, general manager of corporate communications at Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, said, “Services will begin two-and-a-half hours earlier than usual. Additional manpower has been deployed and information is being shared on social media. Each participant will receive two QR-coded wristbands for entry and exit.”E-rickshaws will ferry participants from Jor Bagh metro station to the drop-off point for JLN Stadium. Parking is available exclusively for half-marathon participants, who can collect stickers for personal cars or motorcycles at PLAYSCAPE VDHM Expo, scheduled to take place from Thursday to Saturday, on a first-come, first-served basis.Delhi Police has also extended its full cooperation towards making the event a seamless one. Madhurendra Kumar, traffic inspector at Defence Colony circle, said, “We have been preparing for the marathon for a long time to ensure a hassle-free route. Around 200 personnel, including 70-80 traffic cops, will be deployed from the Defence Colony police post area alone.”VDHM 2026 aims to deliver a fully waste-managed race with zero waste sent to landfills. The event has received bronze-level recognition from World Athletics for sustainability and responsible event management. New Delhi Municipal Council, Hasiru Dala Innovations and Chintan will support waste management, with over 100 NDMC sanitation workers collecting and segregating waste.Dr Ankita Rai, chief medical officer (public health) at NDMC, said, “Leftover water will irrigate nearby trees; branding materials will become shelters and floor mats. Public transport, metro and cycling will be encouraged to cut emissions, with electric vehicles used for crew and operations, among other steps.”Digital forms, e-handbooks, uncovered bibs and paper-bag kits will cut paper and plastic use. PET bottles and packaging will be recycled, food waste composted and sewage treated at authorised facilities.Singh said, “Success is measured by the lives touched and people brought together. A survey by Miranda House, based on 5,000 interviews, estimated last year’s socioeconomic and health impact by VDHM at over Rs 400 crore.”
