Jharkhand failed to win any award in the mini-marathon- “Run for Gajraj” -in the foothills of Dalma in Jamshedpur on October 5, 2025.

Amongst nearly 4000 participants, Uttar Pradesh stole the show. Among the male  UP’s four runners won awards. They were : Ravi Kumar Pal, Rohit Saroj, Akchay Kumar, and Ganesh Kumar. Even in women's category, all five awarded were women from UP- Abshika Patel, Wandana, Babita Kumari, Punam Nishad, and Anjali Patel.

Another sole-awarded participant was from Rajasthan- Mukesh Kumar.

The “Run for Gajraj” was organised for the first time by the state forest department of Jharkhand with a mission to create awareness for the conservation of wild animals, especially elephants.

It was held in green and hilly pathways of Dalma hills in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.

What attracted the attention was participation of both male and female runners from different parts of the country in the event with separate prize money for each group, ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 31,000.

As per the statement issued by Jamshedpur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Saba Alam, "An elephant marathon was conducted as part of the Wildlife Week 2025 in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.

Also, the event aimed at promoting eco-tourism, local tourism, and encouraging fitness and healthy living among citizens."

In any case, Jharkhand witnessed for the first time such an event, focussing on wild elephants, who were facing existential problems emanating from deforestation and man- animal conflict in Jharkhand.

The run for elephants was a mini marathon in a distance of 16 km. So because Half Marathon is a road running event of 21.0975 kilometres (13 miles 192.5 yards).

It was flagged off among others by the ruling JMM party’s MLA Savita Mahto and Saraikela Deputy Commissioner Nitish Kumar Singh at Saharbeda Football Ground in the foothills of Dalma at 7.00 am on Sunday. It was passed through four villages to end at Saharbeda itself.