JBG Satara Hill Half Marathon 2025: A Rain-Soaked Yet Record-Breaking Celebration of Running
JBG Satara Hill Half Marathon 2025: A Rain-Soaked Yet Record-Breaking Celebration of Running
Satara (Maharashtra) [India] – September 17: Despite persistent rainfall, more than 8,500 runners took part in the 14th JBG Satara Hill Half Marathon on Sunday morning, organized by Malas Fruit Products. The weather could not dampen the spirit of the participants as the sun briefly broke through the clouds, marking one of Satara’s most memorable race days.
Thousands of spectators lined the streets, volunteers braved the weather, and runners took on the challenging hills with enthusiasm. The event reaffirmed its reputation as one of India’s most scenic and community-driven running festivals.
Charity Beyond the Finish Line
This year’s marathon went beyond the race itself with a major charity initiative benefiting over 2,000 children across 8 schools in and around Satara. Donations included sports equipment such as footballs, basketballs, chess sets, and carrom boards, helping integrate physical activity into school life and promote a culture of fitness and teamwork.
Expo Sets the Tone
Festivities began two days earlier with the JBG SHHM Fitness Expo, organized by the Punit Balan Group. Attended by more than 30,000 visitors and featuring over 50 brands, the Expo set the stage for race day. It was inaugurated by Smt. Vedantikaraje Bhonsle (Vahini Saheb), wife of Maharashtra PWD Minister Shrimant Ch. Shivendrasinharaje Bhonsle, bringing together the regional and national running community.
Going Live – A First for India
For the first time in Indian half-marathon history, the event was broadcast live on Fancode and Zee24Taas. This milestone made the JBG Satara Hill Half Marathon the first standalone half-marathon in India with a digital live-streaming partner. The event also broke records as the largest independent hill half-marathon in India, further reinforcing its global recognition after having been a Guinness World Record winner three times.
On the Podium
The competition was fierce and exhilarating, with top athletes delivering stellar performances:
Men’s Open Category:- Ankush Laxman Hakke – 01:10:08
- Lovepreet Singh – 01:11:06
- Dharmender D – 01:12:03
- Sakshi Sanjay Jadyal – 01:29:35
- Rutuja Vijay Patil – 01:30:52
- Sonali Dhondiram Desai – 01:33:42
Over 600 runners completed the race in under two hours, earning coveted gold medals. Despite the humid post-rain conditions, every pacer successfully led their groups across the finish line.
Voices from the Event
Dr. Sandeep Kate, Founder & Chief Believer, said: “This edition truly reflected the dedication of our community. Not even the rain could dampen the spirit of the runners, and the success of our charity initiative gives this event an even deeper meaning.”
Satara Collector Shri Santosh Patil praised the event, stating, “Satara has now established itself as the Rajdhani of Marathon Running. The 2025 edition has reinforced that identity.”
SP Shri Tushar Doshi, an active participant, added, “This event has become a benchmark for fitness in Maharashtra. It was an honour to run alongside thousands, including fellow police officers from across the state.”
Mr. Gaurav Jajodia, MD of Jai Balaji Group and Title Sponsor, said: “It is a moment of pride to see 8,500 runners under the JBG banner. We support SHHM because it represents community, resilience, and unity.”
Mr. Hussain MJ, Director of Malas Fruit Products, remarked: “It’s an honour to return as sponsor for the second consecutive year. This event carries the same passion and freshness as our brand.”
Punit Balan, MD of Punit Balan Group and Manikchand Oxyrich, said: “The Expo and VIP lounge enhanced the experience for both runners and visitors. We are delighted to collaborate again with SHHM.”
Dr. Avinash, Race Director, emphasized the focus on runner safety and experience: “New systems, on-ground arrangements, and medical preparedness ensured seamless execution. Our disciplined pacers and medical teams made this success possible.”
Ar. Upendra Pandit, President JBG SHHM 2025, noted: “From registrations to execution, the 14th edition was phenomenal. This success belongs to the people of Satara and our selfless volunteers.”
Prof. Vishal Dhane, Vice President, added: “The overwhelming response from participants and partners reflects the trust SHHM has earned over the years.”
Mr. Shailesh Dhawalikar, Secretary, credited the smooth organization to detailed planning and rigorous training programs, while Dr. Prataprao Gole, Medical Director, assured that safety remained the top priority with coordinated emergency responses.
Dignitaries and Guests
Prominent dignitaries graced the Expo and race day, including Guardian Minister Shri Shambhuraje Desai, Mr. Nishant Maheshwari (Founder & CEO, Sportiz), Ms. Shraddha Mehta Maheshwari (HOD, Jai Balaji Group), Mr. Pranay Saraf (Malas Fruit Products), Mr. Ganesh Bhagwat and Mr. Raj Agnihotri (Zandu), and Ms. Dolly Dsouza (Zee24Taas).
Past race directors, founding members, and volunteers—including Adv. Kamlesh Pisal, Dr. Chandrashekhar Gorpade, Mr. Abhishek Bhandari, Dr. Devdatta Deo, Mr. Rahul Gaitade, and Dr. Dipak Bankar—played vital roles in the event’s success.
A City-Wide Celebration
The 14th edition of the JBG Satara Hill Half Marathon reaffirmed Satara’s place as a hub of distance running in India. The combination of rain-soaked streets, an energetic Expo, impactful charity drives, and record participation made this event a true celebration of running, community, and purpose.
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