Shimla to host police half marathon to combat drugs on June 29

Shimla is all set to host the 12th Himachal Pradesh Police Half Marathon 2025 on June 29, an event aimed at spreading awareness about substance abuse and encouraging youth participation in the ongoing fight against drugs. The marathon, themed “Together, we will defeat drugs!”, reflects the state police’s commitment to promoting a healthy and drug-free society.

The event will be inaugurated by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, while Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will attend as the guest of honour. The Chief Minister will also distribute prizes to the winners at the conclusion of the marathon, marking a celebratory end to the occasion.

The half marathon will cover a distance of 21.5 km and will feature separate categories for men and women. The winner of this category will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 51,000, while the first and second runners-up will receive Rs 31,000 and Rs 21,000 respectively. Participants finishing fourth and fifth will be given Rs 11,000 and Rs 5,100. As a gesture of encouragement and inclusion, all participants above the age of 75 will receive a consolation prize of Rs 5,100.

Alongside the main marathon, a 10-km mini-marathon will also be held for both men and women. The winner in each category will be awarded Rs 21,000, followed by Rs 11,000 for the first runner-up and Rs 7,100 for the second. Those finishing fourth and fifth will receive Rs 5,100 and Rs 3,100 respectively. Similar to the Half Marathon, all participants aged above 75 will receive a consolation prize of Rs 3,100.

Adding to the inclusivity of the event, a 3-km ‘Dram Run’ will be organised under multiple age groups: 10-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60 and 61-74 years. The top three men and women runners in each category will receive Rs 2,000 each. Moreover, participants aged 75 and above will again be acknowledged with a consolation prize of Rs 2,100.

In a significant gesture towards promoting accessibility and empowerment, the marathon will also include a category for specially-abled participants. The winner in this category will be awarded Rs 10,000 and each participant will be given Rs 2,000 as a mark of appreciation.

Himachal Tribune