Chennai: The 14th edition of the SKF Goa River Marathon (GRM) concluded successfully, drawing thousands of running enthusiasts to the scenic streets of Chicalim, Goa. Organized by Vasco Sports Club and sponsored by SKF India, the event witnessed over 4000 registrations and record participation across its diverse race categories of 5km, 10km, 21km, 32km, and 42km, including 5km for school children, cementing its position as one of the country’s most anticipated marathons.
The management also organized pre-event runs in various parts of Goa, accompanied by special “how-to” workshops to help both novice and expert runners gear up for event day. Promoting the motto of equality and opportunity, the marathon stated that whether participants walked or ran, they would remain with all.
Ankit Yadav from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh and Chandrasmita Hazarika of Bengaluru, Karnataka won the men’s and women’s 42 km marathon. While Ankit timed an impressive 02: 49:19 hours, Chandrasmita clocked 03:48:04 hours for the distance.
In a day which was dominated by runners from both Maharashtra and Karnataka, Sachin Poojary of Udupi, Karnataka won the 32 km (20 miler) race in the men’s category with a time of 2:00:03 hrs, while Sapna Patel of Uttar Pradesh won the women’s category with a time of 2:30:12 hrs. In the popular, 21km half marathon for men, Siddhesh Barje, last year’s winner from Dapoli, Maharashtra won with a time of 1:14:49 hrs, while Chandana Kalita of Bengaluru, Karnataka won the women’s race in the same category with a time of 1:44:43 hrs.
The 10 kms race, the men’s title went to Pradhan Kirulkar of Kolhapur, Maharashtra with a time of 32:06 minutes, while Farheen Firdose of Bengaluru, Karnataka won the women’s race in 45:33 minutes. In the 5km race for school teams, the Lt Mayekar govt high school, Sada, Vasco won with a cumulative time of 01:21:37 hrs, while the Vidya Vihar HS, Cortalim won the girls category with a cumulative time of 01:58:34 hrs.
Speaking on the event’s success, Mukund Vasudevan, Managing Director, SKF India Ltd., said, “The SKF Goa River Marathon celebrates resilience, inclusivity, and community spirit. This year’s theme, ‘Steps for All,’ highlights the joy of running for everyone. We are proud of the remarkable turnout, showcasing growing enthusiasm across all demographics. As Title Sponsors, we promote sports for health and well-being. The energy was absolutely amazing, and it was great to see runners from India & around the world participating and celebrating the human spirit at the SKF GRM. Congratulations to all the winners, and I am glad that some of the winners were from remote locations in India.”
Nitin Bandekar, President, Vasco Sports Club, added, “It has been a truly remarkable journey hosting the 14th edition of the SKF Goa River Marathon. The unwavering support from SKF India has been instrumental in ensuring the smooth execution and success of this event. We are deeply grateful to all the participants who joined us and made this marathon a celebration of fitness, community, and inclusivity. We look forward to continuing our partnership with SKF India and creating even more memorable experiences in the future.”
This year’s SKF Goa River Marathon witnessed participants from all walks of life, including elite runners, fitness enthusiasts, and first-timers, showcasing the power of running to unite and inspire. With breathtaking routes, vibrant energy, and meticulous organization, the marathon reaffirmed its status as a premier event on the national running calendar.
Rakesh Unny, Secretary, Vasco Sports Club, concluded, “This year’s marathon has been a landmark edition, with the response to the recently launched unique event, the 20-miler, being much greater than in the first year. It shows that this niche event is clearly a game changer for aspiring full marathoners. We are grateful to SKF and all our partners for their continued support in delivering an unforgettable experience for runners. We look forward to building on this momentum and welcoming even more participants next year.”
