Bangalore, April 7, 2025: IIIT-Bangalore, in collaboration with The Akshaya Patra Foundation, successfully organized the 3rd edition of the Miles4Meals Marathon 2025 on April 6, at Electronic City, Bangalore. Held with the noble mission to support midday meals for underprivileged school children across India. The marathon was flagged off by Prof. Debabrata Das, Director of IIIT-Bangalore, and was graced by Mr. Vinod Sudhakar, Technology Director at The Akshaya Patra Foundation, who attended as the honored guest.
The marathon featured two race categories—10K and 5K runs—with further segmentation for male and female participants below and above the age of 50, encouraging inclusive participation across all age groups. The event witnessed an enthusiastic turnout of over 300 runners, ranging from students to senior citizens.
A prize pool of ₹1,50,000 was awarded to top performers in both race categories, while every finisher received a medal and lifetime certificate in recognition of their effort and support.
The winners were:
10K Winners
Male (Below 50): Mr. Ergete Fekade Desta
Male (Above 50): Mr. Ranjit Shivaji Kanbarkar
Female (Below 50): Ms. Alemu Senayit Ayele
Female (Above 50): Ms. Amuthanayagi
5K Winners
Male (Below 50): Mr. Nithin A S
Male (Above 50): Mr. A Baba
Female (Below 50): Ms. Impana K R
Female (Above 50): Ms. Shyamala
Winners were felicitated on stage in the presence of Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-B, Commodore S.R. Sridhar (Retd.), Registrar, IIIT-B, Dr. Neha Arora, Sports Officer, IIIT-B, Mr. Jagadish Patil, CAO, IIIT-B, and Mr. Vinod Sudhakar, Technology Director, Akshaya Patra Foundation.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Debabrata Das said:
“Miles for Meals is more than a run—it is IIIT Bangalore’s heartfelt stride towards social responsibility. This year, we are proud that the funds raised will support the Akshaya Patra Foundation in providing nutritious mid-day meals to school-going children from underprivileged backgrounds. The overwhelming participation—from children to senior citizens—reflects the collective spirit of Bengaluru coming together for a noble cause. Our students, staff, and volunteers turned this into a celebration of fitness, compassion, and community action. We’re delighted that Miles for Meals has grown into a signature event with a meaningful impact.”
Mr. Vinod Sudhakar added: “Fundraising events like Miles4Meals play a crucial role in helping Akshaya Patra implement the PM Poshan scheme and provide mid-day meals to underserved schoolchildren across India. With 80+ kitchens already in operation, we aim to expand more, to take forward this noble cause. My sincere gratitude for all the donations and to the runners, who laced up their shoes and ran for a cause that nourishes both bodies and futures.”
Among the other, most inspiring participants were 7-year-old Kiara Gupta, the youngest runner, and 75-year-old Saroja M. Thimmegowda, the oldest. Another highlight was the participation of Ms. Arpita Patra, a professor from IISc, Bangalore, and an accomplished mountaineer who has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Elbrus.
For participants, Zumba warm-ups, refreshment zones, and on-site medical support were arranged. A lively exhibition area with games, food stalls, and merchandise added to the festive spirit. Miles4Meals 2025 stood as a shining example of how institutions and individuals can come together to run for a purpose and make a tangible difference in the lives of children across the country.
