Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram): More than 1,500 participants took to the streets of Sri Vijaya Puram on Sunday as the ANC Silver Jubilee Half Marathon 2026 combined fitness, endurance and community participation with celebrations marking 25 years of the Andaman & Nicobar Command.
Organised by the Air Force Component under the aegis of the Andaman & Nicobar Command, the event featured 21-km Half Marathon, 10-km and 5-km runs, with participants competing in different age categories.
The marathon brought together defence personnel, their families, sportspersons, fitness enthusiasts and members of the civil community, underlining the growing interface between the Armed Forces and the island population. Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, CINCAN, was the chief guest who flagged off the races. He later felicitated the winners and outstanding performers at the concluding ceremony.
In the 21-km Open Category, Anish Majhi emerged winner with a timing of 1:09:10, while Iswar Dutt Joshi finished second in 1:10:40. Beyond the competition, the event showcased endurance, discipline and sportsmanship, while providing a common platform for Service personnel and civilians to participate in a major fitness initiative.
The successful conduct of the marathon formed part of the year-long celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the Andaman & Nicobar Command, highlighting the themes of fitness, resilience, jointness and the close association between the Armed Forces and the island community.
