Paradip Port Authority, Odisha observed its 65th Port Foundation Day with the successful conduct of the 21st Paradip Marathon 2026 on Saturday. The event was organised by the Gopabandhu Kreeda Sansad of PPA and flagged off from Hanuman Temple Square by the Chief Guest, Shri P. L. Haranadh, Chairman, PPA, in the presence of Shri T. Venu Gopal, Deputy Chairman, PPA, as Guest of Honour.
The 14 km stretch concluded at Gopabandhu Stadium amid enthusiastic support from residents of the port township and various organisations. A total of 336 runners participated, including 280 men and 56 women .
Gracing the valedictory function held at Gopabandhu Stadium as Chief Guest, Shri Haranadh recalled that Paradip Port Authority, whose foundation stone was laid on 3 January 1962, has grown from a small jetty into one of India’s leading major ports. He highlighted that the port is currently the largest major port in terms of rated capacity, records the best berth productivity among Indian major ports, and is the most cost-efficient major port in the country. He added that with ongoing modernisation, a strong focus on green development, and employee welfare, the port is steadily progressing towards a capacity of 400 MMT by 2030. He noted that the Paradip Marathon reflects the same spirit of growth, discipline, and collective participation.
On the occasion, Odisha’s rising sprinter Pratik Maharana, who recently bagged the bronze in the men’s 200 m event and was part of the Indian men’s 4×100 m relay team that secured a silver at the 4th South Asian Senior Athletics Championships 2025, was specially felicitated by Shri P. L. Haranadh, Chairman, Paradip Port Authority.
In the men’s category, Shri Ashok Dandasena of Odisha Police secured first place in Paradip Marathon 2026 with a timing of 43 minutes 52.2 seconds. Shri Gulson Dung Dung of Ranchi finished second in 44 minutes 11.9 seconds, followed by Shri Rakesh Mahanta of Jharkhand in third place with 44 minutes 18.3 seconds.
In the women’s category, Ms. Anita Das of Jharkhand won first place by completing the race in 51 minutes 08.4 seconds. Ms. Sandhya Murmu from Mayurbhanj secured second place with a timing of 54 minutes 24.2 seconds, while Ms. Basanti Mandia of Odisha Police finished third in 54 minutes 51.6 seconds.
The valedictory function at Gopabandhu Stadium was also attended by Shri T. Venu Gopal, Deputy Chairman, PPA; and Heads of Departments of PPA.
The marathon was conducted smoothly by the officials and technical members of the Paradip Port Sports Council under the leadership of Shri H. S. Rout, President; Dr. D. P. Sethi, Working President, Gopabandhu Kreeda Sansad, Shri Dhuna Chandra Tarai, Secretary, GKS, with support from officials of the Odisha Olympic Association.
