Blending physical fitness with ecological awareness, the 1st Chandaka Green Marathon was successfully organised in Bhubaneswar on Sunday as the opening highlight of the 72nd Wildlife Week celebrations.
The event aimed to promote wildlife conservation, habitat protection, and sustainable lifestyle choices among the public.
The marathon was formally inaugurated by Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, Principal Secretary of Odisha’s Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department. He was joined by Prem Kumar Jha, PCCF (WL) & CWLW, and Manoj V. Nair, Member Secretary of the State Pollution Control Board, Odisha (OSPCB), alongside numerous nature enthusiasts and senior officials.
Unlike conventional city-road marathons, this unique event offered participants across 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km categories a rare opportunity to run directly through the scenic, natural surroundings of the Chandaka–Bharatpur forest landscape and Ekamra Kanan park areas.
The 21 km race was specially mapped out as three loops of approximately 7 km each, giving runners an immersive experience of Odisha’s rich greenery.
Carrying the powerful theme “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife”, runners embraced the slogans “Run for Nature” and “Run for a Wilder Tomorrow.”
Due to the sensitive ecosystem, runners followed strict rules guided by forest marshals: stay on tracks, keep quiet in forests, avoid littering, and respect local wildlife.
The event drew an enthusiastic turnout of students, youth, and citizens from across the state, highlighting a collective community commitment toward preserving Odisha’s natural ecosystems during the week-long statewide wildlife awareness campaign.
