Kolkata Runs for a Greener Tomorrow at SBI Green Marathon Season 6 — Every Step Echoes Sustainability
Kolkata, 07th December, 2025: After inspiring cities across India — from Lucknow to Chandigarh, Bhopal, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, and Guwahati — the SBI Green Marathon Season 6 arrived in the cultural capital of India, Kolkata. The NKDA Football Ground in New Town came alive at dawn, transforming into a vibrant arena of runners, families, fitness enthusiasts, and sustainability champions ready to run for the planet.
Set against the charm of Kolkata’s evolving green landscapes and its timeless spirit, the marathon echoed the event’s core philosophy — “Run for a Greener India.” The city’s rich legacy of community participation, coupled with its growing focus on wellness and environmental responsibility, made the morning truly special.
Over 5,000+ participants — including avid runners, students, families, running clubs, and spirited contingents from the Indian Army and Defence Forces — came together with one shared purpose: to run not just for personal goals, but for a cleaner, healthier tomorrow.
The marathon was proudly flagged off by respected dignitaries – Shri Niraj Kumar Panda – Chief General Manager – Kolkata Circle, Shri Rajesh Kumar – General Manager – Network 1, Shri Sanatan Mishra – General Manager – Network 2, Shri Teekam Singh Gehlot – General Manager – Network 3, Shri Sunil Kumar Singh – MD & CEO SBI DFHI Ltd, Shri Surya Narayan Panigrahi – General Manager – DA, Shri Bikram Tripathy – General Manager – ACVO, Shri Biresh Kumar – General Manager – GMU, Shri Maheshwar Narain Prasad – General Manager – SAMRO, Shri Manoranjan Panda – General Manager – CCGRO East, Shri Debashish Mitra – General Manager – CAO, Shri Rajeev Ratna Srivastava – General Manager, SBIL – reaffirming the Bank’s mission to inspire communities across the nation to embrace sustainability and well-being.
Staying committed to its green-first approach, the SBI Green Marathon ensured an eco-conscious race experience from start to finish:
• Organic T-shirts, plantable BIBs, and reusable cloth goodie bags encouraged runners to adopt low-waste practices.
• Black alkaline water, a unique hydration initiative, supported endurance and post-run recovery.
• Waste Management Partner Skrap led waste segregation, recycling, and responsible disposal — with a comprehensive sustainability report to follow.
The morning’s energy was taken to the next level by Mirchi RJ Neel & RJ Mohar, whose engaging commentary, fun interactions, and unbeatable crowd connection kept motivation high from start to finish.
From the 5K to the 10K to the Half Marathon, the AIMS-certified runs brought Kolkata’s diverse running community together — defence forces, marathoners, fitness groups, students, and first-time runners — all moving in harmony toward one powerful mission: a greener India.
The routes around New Town offered a unique blend of wide stretches, fresh morning air, and the city’s signature blend of nature and modernity — perfectly capturing Kolkata’s balance between progress and sustainability.
With every stride, Kolkata showcased its commitment to environmental awareness, holistic fitness, and community-driven action. From the inspiring flag-off to the eco-friendly post-run celebrations, the city marked yet another proud milestone in the marathon’s 17-city journey.
As the SBI Green Marathon Season 6 moves ahead to its next destination, Kolkata stands tall — reminding us that every step, every run, and every heartbeat counts for a Greener India.
