Veerathon 2025, a half-marathon event titled “Run for the Nation’s Pride,” took place in Dehradun on Sunday. Organised by Metamorphes Foundation and NBT, the event featured multiple race categories catering to all ages and fitness levels, from seasoned runners to adventure enthusiasts and casual participants.
The event aimed to support the transformation of ancestral homes of veterans and Veer Naaris (widows of fallen soldiers) of the Indian Armed Forces residing in Uttarakhand into homestays. This initiative sought to promote tourism, reverse migration, and contribute to border security.
Veerathon 2025 included five race categories: the 21 km Half Marathon, 10 km Run, 5 km Run, 3 km Run for casual runners, and a 1 km Fun Run for children to encourage early awareness of fitness and patriotism.
Cash prizes worth up to Rs 2 lakh were awarded to winners across various categories, along with participation goodies.
Chief Guest Major General Rohan Anand, SM, ADG NCC Uttarakhand, and Guest of Honour Rear Admiral Peush Pawsey, Joint Chief Hydrographer, NHO, Indian Navy, distributed the prizes.
Among the notable winners were Colonel Krishan Badhwar, Captain Anuj Kumar, Major Shashi Mehta, and Pooja Negi. Highlights included para-athletes completing the 5 km run, individuals aged between 60 and 80 participating in the 10 km race, a blade runner, a woman running 12 km in a sari, a mother and her two sons winning in the 10 km category, a 71-year-old runner securing a prize, and children with special needs from Raphael Centre joining the 1 km Fun Run.
With over 800 participants, Veerathon 2025 marked a successful inaugural edition.
Star runners such as Major General Vikram Dev Dogra (Retd) AVSM, known as the “Ironman of India,” Major DP Singh (Blade Runner), Ashok Bhanse, who ran with a prosthetic leg, and Major Shashi Mehta took part alongside other runners.
Metamorphes Foundation received support from Honorpoint and Support Our Heroes (SOH), represented by Colonel R D Sharma (Retd), Colonel Sorabh Jain (Retd), and Gaurav Shukla, who also participated in the marathon.
Since 2017, SOH has assisted ex-soldiers and their families across 20 states, particularly those excluded from existing policies or facing long delays. The Martyr Tushar Mahajan Memorial Trust, established by the parents of Captain Tushar Mahajan, sponsored cash prizes in the female category.
The winners of Veerathon 2025 will receive free participation in the next edition of the event, scheduled for 2026.
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