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News18 Namma Run draws 1,600 participants as Mysuru hosts second leg of circuit
Fitness movement blends sport, family fun and anti-drug awareness in Karnataka’s cultural capital
MYSURU: Running with purpose took centre stage as the second leg of the News18 Namma Run crossed the finish line in Mysuru, drawing more than 1,600 participants for a city-wide celebration of fitness, community spirit and the campaign for a drug-free India.
The event followed a successful debut in Salem, where over 1,400 runners took part, and marked the second stop in the 10-city circuit organised by News18 Network.
Beginning at 5:30 am outside the iconic Mysore Palace, participants followed a heritage-rich route through landmarks including Kote Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Jayarama Gate, Chamaraja Circle, Agrahara and Chamrajpura, blending the city’s royal charm with an energetic community gathering.
Designed to be inclusive rather than purely competitive, the event featured timed 5K and 10K races with a prize pool of Rs 1 lakh, alongside a 3K family walkathon, dedicated 1K and 2K children’s runs, and a freestyle costume run that added a festive touch to the morning.
The Mysuru edition also reinforced the campaign’s twin themes of promoting fitness and supporting a drug-free India. Yathindra Siddaramaiah attended as the chief guest, while senior police officials including Boralingaiah, inspector general of police, Southern Range, Mallikarjun Baladandi, superintendent of police, Mysuru, and Sundar Raj, deputy commissioner of police, Mysuru, lent their support to the anti-drug initiative.
The event also served as a platform for brands to engage directly with audiences in regional markets. It was powered by Sree Kumaran Jewellers and Gold Winner, with Reliance Industries joining as co-powered sponsor.
A broad mix of partners backed the initiative, including PayRupik as digital lending partner, Apollo Hospital as health partner, RV University as medal sponsor, Decathlon as sports partner, Craveman Icecream as ice cream partner, Sparsh Masala as masala partner and Sintex Welspun as associate sponsor, alongside several other supporting organisations.
With two successful editions completed, News18 Namma Run is building momentum as it travels across India, combining fitness, family participation and social awareness while creating a meaningful platform for community engagement beyond the country’s metro cities.
