Vijay Diwas Ultra Marathon to Leave Continues Kolhapur from Ahilyanagar, to Culminate in Pune on December 16

The Vijay Diwas Ultra Marathon will continue its historic journey with a ceremonial flag-off from the Cavalry Tank Museum in Ahilyanagar, heading towards Kolhapur from today. This 405 km marathon, organized by the HQ Southern Command of the Indian Army, commemorates the victory of the Indian Army in the 1971 Indo-Pak War and serves as a precursor to the Army Day 2025 celebrations in Pune on January 15, 2025. The marathon will culminate in Pune on December 16, marking Vijay Diwas.

The event was inaugurated on December 6 by Governor CP Radhakrishnan in Mumbai and has already passed through Nashik and Ahilyanagar. It will continue its journey through Kolhapur before concluding at Pune. The marathon features 15 core runners, including notable participants such as Col Mandeep Singh Mann (Retd) and Captain Pooja Mehra (Retd), alongside veterans, local citizens, and NCC cadets from cities along the route.

All about the marathon

The marathon's primary aim is to honor the brave soldiers of the 1971 war and raise awareness about the strength, resilience, and unity of the Indian Armed Forces. Each city along the route has hosted special flag-in ceremonies and programs to honor the legacy of the armed forces, with this year’s Army Day theme being ‘Samarth Bharat Saksham Sena’, celebrating the strength of both the nation and its military.

Ahilyanagar played a key role in this marathon, where the runners arrived on December 8, 2024, after completing a grueling 50 km stretch from Hivrebazar. The stretch was flagged off by Padmashree awardee Popatrao Baguji Pawar, the Sarpanch of the village, and was completed with immense participation from the local community. The marathon culminated at Ahilyanagar Fort, where Brigadier Vani Suryam from the Military Hospital, Ahilyanagar, flagged in the runners.

The event was further enlivened by a patriotic musical concert by the Pipe Bands of the Armoured Corps Centre and Mechanised Infantry Centre, and a large crowd of athletic clubs, schoolchildren, NCC cadets, Veer Naris, and other citizens gathered to witness and support the runners. Local citizens actively joined the marathoners, running alongside them, showcasing Ahilyanagar’s strong sporting culture and deep respect for the Armed Forces.

The Nari Shakti theme was also highlighted, with Captain Pooja Mehra (Retd) delivering an empowering lecture on Women Empowerment, inspiring many of the participants.

Ahilyanagar has long been known for honoring the Armed Forces fraternity, and its support for the Vijay Diwas Ultra Marathon is yet another example of its commitment. The event brought together veterans, Veer Naris, serving personnel, and civilian participants, reflecting the strong bond between the local community and the military.

Looking ahead, on December 11, the marathon will continue its journey with a ceremonial flag-off from the Cavalry Tank Museum in Ahilyanagar to Kolhapur. The marathon will see the participation of soldiers, civilian marathoners, Agniveers, NCC cadets, and other runners from the local community. The event will culminate on December 16 in Pune, marking Vijay Diwas.

The flag-off event to Kolhapur will be led by Maj Gen Vikram Verma, VSM, the Commandant of the Armoured Corps Centre & School in Ahilyanagar, with participation from serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans, Veer Naris, and the civil population. In addition to the marathon, an Ex-servicemen Mela will be organized at the Cavalry Tank Museum to benefit the ex-servicemen of the Ahilyanagar district, alongside a display of military equipment. These activities further highlight the close relationship between the military and the local community and strengthen the sense of unity and patriotism among the people of Ahilyanagar.

The marathon is not just a sporting event but also a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces, with the entire journey underscoring the values of resilience, unity, and national pride.