The Indian Cultural Association (ICA) successfully concluded its inaugural International Half-Marathon, which took place on Sunday (1).
Sponsored by Continental Sri Lanka, the event saw 732 athletes from 20 countries gather at the historic Galle Face Green, Colombo, to participate in this landmark event.
The marathon began at the crack of dawn with the 21.1 km Half-Marathon participants setting off at 5 a.m., followed by the 10 km Challengers Run at 5.30 a.m., and culminating with the 5 km Family Run at 6 a.m.
The scenic and well-planned route took runners through some of Colombo’s most iconic locations, including Galle Road, Marine Drive, Beira Lake, and the bustling Colombo Fort.
The race returned to its starting point at Galle Face Green, where participants were met with cheers and applause from an enthusiastic crowd.
Both participants and spectators enjoyed the flat course, which provided a perfect backdrop for the athletes to test their endurance and speed.
The race concluded at 9 a.m., with winners emerging across all categories after a fiercely competitive yet spirited event.
Winners List:
21.1 km Half-Marathon:
- Men’s Solo Category:
1st : Sajith Gunasekara (Sri Lanka) – Rs. 1,000,000
2nd : Udara Rupasinghe, (SL) – Rs. 500,000
3rd : Upul Kumara, (SL) – Rs. 200,000
- Women’s Solo Category:
1st : Chamini Herath, (Sri Lanka) – Rs. 1,000,000
2nd : Wathsala Herath, (SL) – Rs. 500,000
3rd : Nayana Sewwandi, (SL) – Rs. 200,000
10 km Challengers Run:
- Men’s Solo Category:
1st : Sarath Kumara, (Sri Lanka)
2nd : Muthusamy Sivarajan, (SL)
3rd : Wimal Dilkusha, (SL)
- Women’s Solo Category:
1st : Methmi Rasara, (Sri Lanka)
2nd : Samanthika Dilhani, (SL)
3rd : Ajantha Kumari, (SL)
5 km Family Run:
- Men’s Solo Category:
1st : Selvarathnam Chandradasan, (Sri Lanka)
2nd : Jaliya Kumara Bandara, (SL)
3rd : Manjula Wijerathna, (SL)
- Women’s Solo Category:
1st : Velu Karishanthani, (Sri Lanka)
2nd : Kalahari Madirika, (SL)
3rd : Marlena Platzer, (Austria)
The ICA International Half-Marathon has proven to be a significant milestone in promoting Sri Lanka as a premier destination for international sporting events.
The event has not only highlighted the beauty of Colombo but also underscored the importance of community support and sustainable tourism.
“We are thrilled with the success of our inaugural International Half-Marathon,” said ICA President Capt. Anirban Banerjee.
“The participation of athletes from 20 different countries demonstrates the global appeal for such events in Sri Lanka. We look forward to growing this event in the coming years, continuing our efforts to support local communities through our CSR initiatives, and further promoting Sri Lanka as a hub for world-class sporting events.”
ICA International Half-Marathon is organised by the Indian Cultural Association of Sri Lanka and the event facilitator is Single Tree, an event management company that specialises in sporting events.