09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Green Pune monsoon marathon to be held on July 13, 3-km ‘Pawathon' the key highlight
The second edition of the Green Pune Monsoon Hill Marathon will take place on July 13 at the Sadu Shinde Cricket Ground, with a new addition this year: a three-kilometre 'Pawathon' that will allow runners to participate along with their pets.
This year, the marathon introduces several measures aimed at environmental sustainability, including race T-shirts made from recycled bottles, seed ball giveaways, and saplings for all runners.
Organised by city-based Gold Leaf Entertainment, the event returns following what organisers described as a 'tremendous response' in its inaugural edition.
'The marathon promotes a net-zero carbon footprint. With the Pawathon, we want to celebrate fitness and the outdoors with our furry companions. I had a pet. So, I know the companionship they carry, and I see people around Pune taking them out for walks. So why not arrange a race for them?' Iyer told the Indian Express.
He said such mass events have the potential to raise awareness and scale impact, highlighting the mass-scale tree plantation drives to be held as part of the marathon. 'We bring together around a thousand participants on the ground, who plant trees in the forested areas near the venue,' said Iyer. 'In a single location, we plant 500 to 600 trees, and across the region, the number goes beyond 2,000,' he said.
Participants will run across various categories, including the 21-km half-marathon, 10-km and 5-km races, a 2-km fun run, and the 3-km 'Pawathon'.
The half marathon will cover routes through Taljai Hills, Padmavati Parking, Treasure Park, and Aranyeshwar Temple, looping back to the starting point.
The event's emphasis on low-waste management and green mobility aligns with growing efforts to blend community participation with climate consciousness in urban sporting events.
It is supported by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Belvalkar Group, and Eco Factory Foundation, among others.
Electric bikes will be used for coordination and route support, and water stations will offer recycled cups. Over 5,000 saplings will be distributed to promote afforestation efforts.
Plans are underway to expand the event to other cities. 'We are trying to do it not only in Pune, but also in Bombay. Every city has a different problem. Bombay has a problem with flooding. We can have something related to that,' Iyer said.
(Aryesh Chakraborty is an intern with The Indian Express.)
