2 weeks ago
Darjeeling hosts first night marathon with 1,000 runners for patriotism
Darjeeling, a hill town in India, hosted its very first night marathon.
The race took place on the night before Independence Day and was 10 kilometres long.
Nearly 1,000 runners joined, starting at 7pm from a famous square called Chowrasta.
Before the race, everyone took a promise to stay away from drugs and choose sports and healthy habits instead.
The run was a celebration of patriotism, fitness, friendship and community spirit.
Residents came out onto the streets with flags and torches, playing patriotic music and cheering the runners.
The organisers donated 50 street lamps to make the route brighter and safer.
Some special helpers walked nearly 200 kilometres from the India-Bhutan border to Darjeeling to spread the message of keeping the hills clean.
Runners who finished fastest got prizes, with Bikram Limbu winning for the men and Anjuli Subba for the women.
Nearly 1,000 runners took part in the Darjeeling Night Run 2026, the hill town's first night marathon, on Independence Eve.
The 10-kilometre run started and finished at 7pm at the Chowrasta promenade, celebrating patriotism, fitness and community spirit.
Before the flag-off, participants took an anti-drug pledge urging young people to reject drugs and embrace sports, fitness and healthy habits.
Bikram Limbu won the men's category, followed by Bikash Bhujel and Samant Rai, while Anjuli Subba won the women's category ahead of Priya Tamang and Bandana Subba.
The VikRun Foundation organised the event, donated 50 street lamps for the route, and honoured ultramarathoner Sunita Subba, conservationist Dr Barkha Subba and actor Rahul Mukhia.
- Who
- Nearly 1,000 runners took part, with the VikRun Foundation organising the event and a flag-off led by Darjeeling MLA Noman Rai, district magistrate Harishanker Panicker, superintendent of police Yeilwad Shrikant Jagannathrao, mountaineer Jamling Tenzing Norgay and representatives of Manipal Hospitals.
- What
- Darjeeling's first night marathon, the 10-km Darjeeling Night Run 2026, featuring an anti-drug pledge, patriotic celebrations, felicitation of local achievers and separate men's and women's race categories.
- Where
- Darjeeling, on a route starting and ending at the town's famous Chowrasta promenade.
- When
- On Independence Eve, with the run starting at 7pm.
- Why
- To promote patriotism, fitness and community spirit, encourage young people to reject drugs, and help make Darjeeling safe at night.
Key facts
- Event
- Darjeeling Night Run 2026 - first night marathon in Darjeeling
- Distance
- 10 kilometres
- Participants
- Nearly 1,000 runners
- Start/Finish
- Chowrasta promenade, Darjeeling
- Organiser
- VikRun Foundation
- Men's winner
- Bikram Limbu
- Women's winner
- Anjuli Subba
- Street lamps donated
- 50, by the VikRun Foundation
Quotes
Abhimanyu Pradhan
Participant in the marathon
“What makes Darjeeling truly special is its people. They do not merely watch an event; they come out onto the streets and become part of it.”
telegraphindia.com
“It was a unique experience to participate in a night run. I really enjoyed it.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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