Over 100 wheelchair users take part in inclusive Run for Wheels marathon in Coimbatore

Nearly 850 participants, including 150 wheelchair users, took part in the sixth Edition of the Run for Wheels Marathon at the Ganga Spine Injury Rehabilitation Centre in Coimbatore city on Sunday (December 7, 2025).

The inclusive marathon, jointly organised by Ganga Hospital and Sittruli Foundation, aimed to bridge the gap between able-bodied and para-athletes. Participants competed across 10 km, five km, three km, and one km categories, with winners receiving cash prizes.

The marathon was flagged off by G. Soundararajan, chairman of CRI Pumps, and Dr. S. Rajasekaran, chairman, Department of Orthopaedics, Ganga Hospital and Managing Trustee, Ganga Spine Injury Foundation. A wheelchair basketball exhibition match followed, highlighting the participation of differently-abled athletes and emphasising the need for inclusive infrastructure.

In another event, the Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH) conducted its 29th annual KMCH Kovai Marathon on Sunday, focusing on paediatric cardiac care. The 16 km run, beginning at KMCH Sulur Multi-Specialty Hospital and concluding at the Kovai Medical Center Hospital on Avinashi Road in the city, saw over 4,000 participants, including doctors, nurses, medical professionals, and students.

The marathon was flagged off by District Superintendent of Police K. Karthikeyan, and at the finish line, Dr. Nalla G. Palaniswami, Chairman and Managing Director, KMCH, highlighted the marathon’s legacy since 1991 and its role in raising awareness of child heart health.

Dr. Arun Palaniswami, Executive Director, emphasised the importance of early detection, treatment, and education on paediatric cardiac conditions.