Bhubaneswar: As part of the ongoing Odia Pakhya celebrations, the Sports and Youth Services department hosted a heritage marathon in Ekamra Kshetra Sunday morning, drawing enthusiastic participation from citizens.
The marathon flagged off at 5:30 am from Mukteswar Temple.
The route offered runners a glimpse into the capital’s cultural richness, passing landmarks such as Rameswar Temple, Vivekananda Marg, Utkal Kanika Galleria Mall, Lewis Road, BJB College, and Ravi Talkies Square, before culminating at the historic Rajarani Temple.
Over a thousand participants—including athletes, youth, differently-abled, and local residents—joined the run, turning it into a celebration of community spirit and cultural pride.
Participants also took a collective pledge to preserve and promote Odisha’s rich heritage and monuments.
In the competitive segment, Chandan Samal secured first place, followed by Siddharth Kumar Mishra in second and Vijay Agrawal in third.
The winners were felicitated with medals, while all participants received tokens of appreciation in recognition of their spirited involvement.
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Joining as chief guest, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh highlighted the deeper significance of the event, stating that the marathon is not merely a sporting activity but a meaningful effort to reconnect the younger generation with Odisha’s cultural roots.
“Our ancient temples and monuments are symbols of Odia identity, and preserving them is our moral responsibility,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj for leading initiatives that bridge the gap between youth and the state’s glorious past.
The event witnessed the presence of several distinguished personalities, including Commissioner-cum-Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia, additional secretaries Ashok Kumar Panda and Bijay Kumar Swain.
Olympian Anuradha Biswal and Odia film actress Sivani Sangita also joined the marathon.
Blending fitness with cultural awareness, the heritage marathon emerged as a key highlight of Odia Paksha, reinforcing the message of heritage conservation while inspiring active community participation.
