September 8, 2005: 

Rare are the occasions when a city is provided with a platform to come together in a celebration that cuts across all social barriers, overlooking physical limitations and disregarding financial capabilities.  A celebration that emphasises on the joys of life, the triumph of the human spirit and deserves nothing but the overwhelming and wholehearted participation of its citizens.

The Hutch Delhi Half Marathon 2005 is that very platform and it is now up to the people of Delhi to join hands and come together on a scale that has never been witnessed before. Big names like cricket legend Kapil Dev, Rahul Bose and many more celebrities from all walks of life have already pledged their might to the Event, which has been designed specifically for Delhi, keeping in mind the city's stature. Joining them will be the world's top international athletes, vying for the world's richest prize money, while former athletic legends will be present as Brand Ambassadors. Why should Delhi's citizens be lagging behind?

REGISTER NOW and become a part of history. Serious athletes can challenge themselves over 21.197 kms, the distance of the half marathon. For fitness buffs the Great Delhi Run over 7km will be a true testing parameter, while the Senior Citizens' Run over 4.3 km beckons all those who have strove hard for a healthy body and alert mind. Run to be a part of the world's richest half marathon. Run to win, run or walk for fun, for a cause, but be involved.

Inviting people to participate in the Hutch Delhi Half Marathon, Sanjoy Mukerji, Operations Director, Delhi, Hutchison Essar said, "Hutch Delhi Half Marathon celebrates the spirit of Delhi, the spirit of sharing, giving and the joy of togetherness. It is a great opportunity for people of Delhi to do something extraordinary, to demonstrate support for a cause close to their hearts and to make a difference!!!"

In the words of N C Mathur, Director Corporate and International Marketing Jindal Stainless, "We are all working towards ensuring for Delhi, a better and brighter future."

Procam International, the promoters of he Event, takes pride and pleasure in welcoming two new partners to the Hutch Delhi Half Marathon.

Hospitality Partner: The Brand ITC is synonymous with hospitality in the country and the Marriott WelcomHotel brings to the Event a special charm and attraction as the Hospitality Partner.

Timing Partner: Titan spells accurate timing, style and elegance. By coming in as Timing Partner, Titan lends to the event all is technical expertise where timing is concerned, one of the most important aspects of the event.

Charity and the marathon: The charity platform in the context of a marathon is very unique because it's the one opportunity for people to compete with one another at one level and yet come together for a common cause at another- that of reaching out to someone less privileged.

GiveIndia is the official charity to the Hutch Delhi Half Marathon, to be hosted in Delhi on 16th October 2005.

GiveIndia's mission is to create a giving culture in India. It enables donors to support 'good' NGOs- organisations that have been selected through a rigorous selection process emphasising transparency and accountability. All donors receive individual feedback of how their donation was used. For the marathon, however ALL legally registered charitable organisations can raise money through GiveIndia although GiveIndia's commitment to providing feedback on donations is restricted only to those listed with it.

How can one participate in the marathon and also raise resources for a cause?

You can register for the 21km Half Marathon, or the 7km Great Delhi Run. Or even the 5km Senior Citizen's Run if you're 60 and over. The marathon offers interested individuals with 4 fundraising options to raise resources for their favourite charity/cause.

-As a member of the Dream Team, if one can raise Rs1 lac or more for the cause of their choice then the Dream Team members are entitled to special privileges and this offer is limited to the first 50 registrants.

-As a part of your company's Corporate Challenge Team, if one's company has signed up for the same. To qualify to be part of the Corporate Challenge, the individual will be required to form a team of 30 members from her/his company, each contributing Rs 5000/- to participate, making a total contribution of Rs 1,50,000.

-As a part of the Global Challenge Team, if one's institution (embassy, consulate, bilateral or multilateral donor agency) has signed up for the same. To qualify for the Global Challenge, one must be part of a 30-member team, each team member contributing Rs 5000/- to participate, making a total contribution of Rs 1,50,000.

GiveIndia will support both Corporate and Global Challenge team members with an opportunity to start the race at the front, right after the Dream Team, posters & promotional materials to enlist members for the team, free pledge kits, pledge raising orientation & training for the team and many more benefits.

-Simply as a part of Pledgers' United, the group of several thousand individuals who will individually choose to run for a cause of their own choice by registering with an additional participation fee of Rs 100/-.

All participants who register to run for a cause will receive a pledge kit which will contain information about the marathon, some fundraising ideas and a pledge form. This form will facilitate runners running for a charity to document information about those pledging contributions in their support. GiveIndia will upload every runner's pledge sheet on its site so that both the runner and all those supporting the runner have access to the information on how much money was raised by the individual for his/her charity or cause.

For more information contact jasmine@givefoundation.org

Registrations for the Hutch Delhi Half Marathon close on September 30, 2005 or until running places are full, whichever is earlier. Besides registration through PO Box and online (www.hutchdelhihalfmarathon.indiatimes.com), the general public will also have the convenience of registering through the 'Hutch anytime Kiosks' at  select Hutch shops in Delhi and through SMS by sending REG to 111, a facility available to Hutch subscribers only .  Registration forms will be available at all Hutch Galleries, Jindal Centre, Standard Chartered Bank branches, DHL Express Centres, World of Titan stores (incl. at Shopper' Stop), Planet M outlets and the Radio Mirchi Canter.

The entry fee for participants living in India, will be Rs 50 for the Half Marathon, Rs 100 for the Senior Citizens Run and Rs 100 for the Great Delhi Run, while for international participants, the fee will be US $ 20 for the Half Marathon, US $ 10 for the Senior Citizens' Run and US $ 10 for the Great Delhi Run.
The dedicated Event Helpine + 91 98999 77777 (10am to 7pm, from August 20 onwards) as well as the website hutchdelhihalfmarathon.indiatimes.com will provide information on all aspects of the Event. Further one can also SMS RUN to 123 to get event information directly.

Partners to the Event :
Prasar Bharati Corporation - Telecast partner
Escorts Heart institute - Medical Partner
Standard Chartered Bank - Financial Services Partner
New Balance  - Official Sportswear
The Times of India - Print Partner
DHL - Logistics Partner
Titan- Timing Partner
Kingfisher - Water Partner
Marriott WelcomHotel - Hospitality Partner
Radio Mirchi - Radio Partner
Indiatimes - Internet Partner
Give India - Official Charity