The NMDC Hyderabad Marathon has earned the World Athletics Silver Standard under the “Athletics for a Better World” programme — making it the first running event in India to receive this certification. The recognition, valid for three years, places Hyderabad alongside races like the Boston Marathon and the Berlin Half Marathon on the global sustainability map.
This is not an honorary title. The ABW framework evaluates events across four independent pillars: planning, implementation, documentation and measurable impact. Hyderabad scored 84 points out of a possible 100 under this framework — a number that reflects real, verifiable work done on the ground.
What They Actually Did to Earn It
The race didn’t get here through pledges and brochures. The sustainability measures were operational, specific and auditable.
The event ran on a strict Zero Waste to Landfill policy. Single-use plastics were completely eliminated across all race touchpoints, replaced with biodegradable cornstarch plates and wooden cutlery. Every stadium water bottle was collected and sent through a 100% recycling channel. All event flex banners, instead of going to a dump, were handed over to Goonj to be upcycled into functional products.
On transport, the race deployed over 100 participant shuttle buses to reduce individual car use on race day. Elite runners and volunteers were moved exclusively in electric vehicles. The environmental effort extended well beyond race day itself: air quality monitoring was conducted along all course routes for a full month before the event.
Perhaps the most striking number is this: nearly 30% of registered runners voluntarily opted out of receiving a race t-shirt through a “No Tee Shirt” option. That is not a small nudge — it represents a significant chunk of the runner field choosing to consume less, without being compelled to.
Why This Certification Matters
Race Director Rajesh Vetcha put it plainly: the award recognises the kind of intense community and environmental action that does not just clean up a race course but shapes the habits of an entire city. That framing matters because most running events operate as one-day spectacles with no lasting footprint beyond the plastic they leave behind.
Sustainability Lead Venkat Ankam has been clear about the underlying goal: to demonstrate that a world-class sporting event can leave a lasting positive footprint rather than a logistical scar. The 84-point score suggests that case has been made, at least to the satisfaction of an independent global body.
What This Means for Indian Running
The ABW Silver Standard is not yet common. Earning it requires structured documentation, not just good intentions. For the Indian running circuit, which has grown rapidly over the past decade, this sets a measurable reference point. Race organisers across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai now have a concrete framework to benchmark against.
The Hyderabad Marathon is scheduled for August 2026. The certification applies to the current edition and remains valid through the next three years of the race.
Gearing up for the race this August? Check out our complete NMDC Hyderabad Marathon Runner’s Guide for the full route breakdown, elevation strategy and packing tips.
The Road to Recertification
The Silver Standard is not a permanent badge. World Athletics requires events to reapply and demonstrate continued improvement across the ABW framework every three years. For Hyderabad, that means the sustainability programme now needs to evolve with each edition rather than maintain the status quo.
Race Director Rajesh Vetcha has indicated the team is already working toward benchmarks that could support a Gold Standard application in future cycles. The 84-point score, while strong, leaves room to push further on measurable community impact and long-term air quality outcomes along the course.
For Indian runners, the practical takeaway is simple: this race is now independently verified to be run cleaner than almost any other event on the domestic circuit.