The buffer zone of Pench National Park turned into a vibrant sporting arena as the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board hosted the second edition of the “Mowgliland Half Marathon” amidst the enchanting monsoon landscape. Organized in collaboration with Unity Small Finance Bank, the event saw participation from more than 1,300 runners from across India.
Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary – Tourism, Culture, Home & Religious Trusts, and Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, said, “The Mowgliland Half Marathon is not just a sporting spectacle, but a unique endeavour to connect tourism with nature. While core areas of national parks remain closed during the monsoon, such events offer fresh experiences for visitors while creating opportunities and livelihoods for local communities. Running through the greenery and wilderness of Pench is an unforgettable experience for participants. Our vision is to firmly establish Madhya Pradesh on the map of adventure tourism.”
The Champions of the Marathon
The marathon, flagged off from Pench’s Khawasa Gate, covered scenic stretches through Kohka Lake before returning to the starting point. It featured three categories – 21 km (Mowgli Challenge), 10 km (Bagheera Dash), and 5 km (Baloo Fun Run). In the 21 km segment, Bhind’s Vikas Baghel emerged victorious in the men’s category, while Renu Kaur claimed the women’s title. In the 10 km run, Indore’s Megh Parmar secured the men’s crown, while Vinita Kumari topped the women’s race.
Runners from Across the Country
The event drew participants not just from Madhya Pradesh but also from cities including Agra, Ahmedabad, Akola, Aurangabad, Bhandara, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Gurugram, Jammu, Jodhpur, Khaperkheda, Khurai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, New Delhi, Panvel, Pune, Raipur, Rajkot, Ramtek, Wardha and more. Running through the forest trails, the athletes showcased their fitness while also spreading the message of environmental conservation.
Certified by World Athletics
The Mowgliland Half Marathon is among the select few in India whose route has been officially certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). This year, the marathon drew participation from over 1,100 runners across the country, along with nearly 200 forest guides and members of forest committees. To spread the message of tiger conservation, participants were given tiger masks and performed the Vyaghrasana (Tiger Pose) before the run. The event received support from Pench Tiger Reserve, district administration, and police authorities, and was executed by Ahmedabad-based Viren Sports & Wellness.
