Thought Bad Air Quality Could Faze Delhi Marathoners? Check Again

Delhi Half Marathon managed to draw huge crowds despite the poor air quality the city is reeling under.

The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon saw a huge participation despite the bad air quality Delhi is reeling under.

(Photo: Shiv Maurya/The Quint)

Despite calls for cancellation, Airtel not only went ahead with its Delhi Half Marathon on 19 November, but also witnessed an enthusiastic reception by Delhi runners. Airtel conducted its first ever annual Half Marathon in Delhi in 2005, making Sunday’s marathon the 12th event of its kind.

We were live from the Half Marathon to get a sense of how excited the people are about it, or if the smog and the recent drop in air quality levels have daunted them. Take a look!

Also Read: Docs Say No, but These Marathon Runners Are Unfazed by Smog

While the general vibe of the hour was that of excitement, selfies and check-ins, there were different groups of NGOs and organisations who were trying to spread awareness about the poor quality of air in Delhi.

Additionally, there were also NGOs who were participating in the marathon to raise awareness about causes that included youth empowerment and air pollution.

A representative of Etasha society, an NGO that works for youth empowerment by training and helping them find appropriate employment.

Also Read: Cancel Airtel Marathon in Delhi, Air Is Dangerously Dirty: IMA

Another representative of the Etasha society.

Marathon runners click selfies before the run begins.

Spirits were high at the event as people painted faces and dressed up.

Spirits were high at the event as people painted faces and dressed up.

Members of an NGO dress up as clean air (children in white on the right) to raise awareness about air pollution.

The child was the member of an NGO, dressed up to raise awareness about air pollution.

Despite health advisories being issued over the last couple of days, large crowds turned up for the marathon.

Another excited group of runners all the way from Australia at the event.

In the last couple of days, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi ranged from “very unhealthy” to “hazardous”. The levels crossed the 300 ‘danger’ mark in several parts of the city.

(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT to find #PollutionKaSolution. Send in your suggestions to [e-mail] or WhatsApp @ [phone])

Also Read: Delhi Is Like a Bonfire! Should Runners Avoid the Half Marathon?