In its second edition, the L&T Marathon transcended into more than just a race, writes Svati Maddur
It was 4.30 a.m., and the air was electric with excitement. The twilight was punctuated by bright lights, as the murmur of anticipation and the rhythmic sounds of people warming up in thousands arose.
The crowd was in various stages of preparation — some gathered with friends, others stretched in focussed silence, and a few simply took in the grandeur of the event they were about to experience. Despite the early hour, there was no lethargy, only adrenaline rush!
And then, a sleek black Range Rover rolled in, drawing immediate attention. The door opened, and out stepped Suniel Shetty – the Bollywood star, who even at 64, is a fitness icon for Indians. His presence instantly electrified the already- charged atmosphere.
These are only snapshots – as much as words can capture – from the second edition of the Atal Setu MMRDA L&T Marathon 2025.
Hosted on 16 February, the marathon across the iconic Atal Setu, aka, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, was nothing short of exhilarating, as the venue perfectly blends innovation with endurance. With the sea breeze adding a refreshing touch, the ambience was truly electric. It was an absolute spectacle!
Atal Setu, an engineering marvel constructed by Larsen & Toubro, provided the perfect backdrop for this grand race. With the Arabian Sea on both sides, the sea bridge is a testament to human ingenuity, imagination and determination — mirroring the very spirit of the marathon itself.
L&T promotes fitness across its offices and project sites, encouraging employees to prioritise their physical and mental well- being. The marathon extended this belief to the larger community.
Another striking visual was the spectacular migratory flamingos, who nest in the intertidal zone below Atal Setu every winter – the very season when the marathon is held. These elegant birds were incorporated into the marathon’s medal design, blending Mumbai’s engineering marvel with the spirit of a flight to progress. The medal symbolises strength, perseverance, achievement, and a commitment to sustainability.
One of the most anticipated moments building up to the marathon was the unveiling of the jersey and the medal – symbols of pride for every participant. The grand unveiling event brought together L&T leaders, runners and fitness enthusiasts, who shared tips, motivation and their excitement for the upcoming race.
Meanwhile, on another iconic Mumbai bridge, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, a unique illumination – three days prior to the event – transformed the announcement of the L&T Marathon into a breathtaking spectacle, charging both participants and spectators with energy and excitement.
MAGICAL MOMENTS
As dawn broke, the long-awaited moment arrived. The start line was a sea of enthusiastic runners, their faces reflecting determination and joy.
The flag-offs were moments to cherish – the full marathon was flagged off by R K Bansal, EVP & Head – L&T Transportation Infrastructure. The Times of India’s publisher Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd’s (BCCL) Surinder Chawla (President – Response) and Sudha Natrajan (Director – Response) were present.
The half marathon was flagged off by Anil V Parab (Whole-time Director & Sr EVP, L&T), Sivakumar Sundaram (CEO - BCCL), and Trupti Dalal, a seasoned L&T marathoner.
Setting the stage for an unforgettable run, the 10K and 5K races were officially flagged off by Suniel Shetty, L&T Chairman & MD S N Subrahmanyan (SNS), Prayas Trust President Meena Subrahmanyan, Derek Shah (Senior VP & Head – L&T Green Energy), Sreenivas V (President – Brand Capital, BCCL), Sudhakar Pathare (Deputy Commissioner – Port Zone, Mumbai Police) and Bapu Shinde (Traffic Manager – Mumbai Port Trust).
Suniel Shetty cheered the runners and was delighted at seeing so many Mumbaikars embracing fitness. “Seeing Mumbai’s spirit in full stride — runners pushing limits, chasing dreams — is truly inspiring. Wellness is far, far cheaper than illness,” he said.
As soon as the 5K Dream Run was flagged off, a bunch of excited runners veered off the course – rushing towards Shetty to shake hands and take selfies. With characteristic warmth, he patiently obliged each one with a smile. Meanwhile, the rest of the runners surged forward, their footsteps echoing against the smooth asphalt of the Atal Setu.
Many of the runners were L&T-ites, including several from the senior leadership, making this a truly special event. Among them were the CMD Mr Subrahmanyan, President, Whole-time Director & CFO R Shankar Raman, and their L&T Executive Committee colleagues Subramanian Sharma and D K Sen — who took on the 10K challenge. Mr Parab tackled the half marathon; while Anup Sahay, the Head of Corporate Strategy, marked a personal milestone by completing his maiden 21K run.
The Dream Run saw participation from L&T business leaders A T Ramchandani, T Kumaresan, Head of Corporate HR Dr C Jayakumar, Prayas Trust President Ms Subrahmanyan and patron Sharada Shankar Raman.
Adding to the excitement, some of L&T’s seasoned marathoners — Avinash Upadhye from L&T Precision Engineering & Systems, Trupti Dalal from L&T Heavy Engineering, and Sai Sudhir from L&T Heavy Civil Infrastructure — took on the role of pacers across various race categories, ensuring participants met their race-time goals.
MORE INTO THE MILES
This year, the marathon also served as a significant platform for philanthropy, with SACH India as the philanthropy partner. The marathon featured an inclusive charity programme, allowing both individuals and corporations to support a cause of their choice by raising funds for their NGO partners. An impressive Rs 1.08 crore was raised through this maiden initiative.
L&T’s Corporate Challenge team ran the Dream Run in support of the Family Planning Association of India, an NGO which creates awareness on cervical cancer. The team of 80 enthusiastic L&T- ites raised Rs 18.2 lakhs through the marathon, thus amplifying its impact. The money will go into enabling adolescent girls and women to fight against cervical cancer, with a special focus on supporting four clinics in Mumbai and Thane.
From seasoned athletes chasing a podium finish to first-time runners pushing their boundaries, every participant had a story to tell. Some, like Nikhil Singh and Seema Sen, pushed themselves to the extreme, crossing the full marathon finish line in a record time.
Others, including families running together and corporate teams cheering each other on, experienced the joy of collective achievement.
Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, some runners arrived in creative costumes, while others ran with their baby or cat strapped to their chests, making the event as much about celebration as it was about endurance.
L&T Finance was the official ‘NBFC Fintech Partner’ for the marathon, reinforcing its commitment to promoting health, fitness and community spirit. L&T-SuFin put up a stall and an interactive photo booth, showcasing the architectural brilliance of Atal Setu and its impact on Mumbai’s urban landscape.
The marathon proved to be more than a race: it was a celebration of resilience, passion and the unwavering human spirit. Watching exhausted but exhilarated runners complete their journey, one was reminded of what made this event so special.
“For L&T, this event is more than a sponsorship; it is an extension of our belief in healthy living and sustainable development. As an avid runner myself, I know how the discipline of running translates into better decision-making and focus,” said L&T CMD Mr Subrahmanyan.
“L&T plays a pivotal role in building India, and a very important aspect of that is building India’s health and education,” affirmed CFO Mr Shankar Raman.
L&T Marathon is more than just a race — it is a call for healthy and sustainable living. It is all about community, perseverance and the sheer thrill of pushing oneself beyond the imaginable.
The marathon has been possible because of the dedicated teams from L&T and The Times of India, whose relentless efforts ensured a seamless experience. From managing registrations to making every possible arrangement at the event, they did it all!
And as another successful edition of the L&T Marathon wrapped up, the countdown to the next edition began.
