IIM Kozhikode’s 15th Calicut Half Marathon Concludes with Over 4,500 Runners Celebrating the City’s UNESCO Literary Legacy

23rd Feb 2025

The 15th edition of the Calicut Half Marathon, organized by IIM Kozhikode in association with VKC, concluded successfully on Sunday. The event saw an overwhelming response, with more than 4,500 enthusiastic runners from diverse backgrounds coming together to celebrate the city's vibrant spirit and literary heritage.

This year’s theme, “Words in Motion,” paid tribute to Kozhikode’s recognition as a UNESCO City of Literature, highlighting the profound impact of storytelling and ideas in shaping society. The city’s iconic Kozhikode Beach transformed into a sea of blue as runners took to the streets in the early hours of the morning.

The growing stature of the event was further reinforced by the participation of international runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, France, and Japan. The marathon featured three race categories:

• 21 km Half Marathon (Competitive)
• 10 km Mini-Marathon (Competitive)
• 3 km Dream Run (Non-competitive)

The event was flagged off and concluded with an awards ceremony graced by Mr. Ayush Goel, Assistant Collector of Kozhikode and an alumnus of IIM Kozhikode; Mr. VKC Mammed Koya, Chairman, VKC; Mr. K. Shashidar, Zonal Head, Central Bank of India; Film Actor Ranjith Sajeev; Mr. Rahul Singhal, Regional Head (Kochi), Central Bank of India; Dr. Colin Joseph, CEO, Malabar Hospitals; Mr. VKC Razak, Managing Director, VKC; and Mr. V. Rafeeque, Director, VKC.

IIM Kozhikode was represented by Prof. Deepa Sethi (Dean, OEEI), Prof. Rajesh Upadhyayula (Dean, Programmes), Prof. Rachappa Shette (Chairperson, Student Affairs), and Prof. Salamah Ansari (Convenor, Calicut Half Marathon).

Speaking on the success of the event, Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM Kozhikode, said: "The Calicut Half Marathon is more than just a race—it is a movement that brings people together to celebrate resilience, culture, and social impact. This year’s theme, ‘Words in Motion,’ beautifully reflects Kozhikode’s legacy as a UNESCO City of Literature, reinforcing the power of words to inspire and transform. At IIM Kozhikode, we remain committed to fostering a spirit of inclusivity, fitness, and meaningful social change through this landmark event."

The marathon featured a total prize pool of ₹6 lakhs, attracting participants from all walks of life. However, results for all competitive race categories have been temporarily withheld and will be announced soon after final verification of timings.