Hyderabad, October 08, 2023.....The World's largest Cancer awareness run "Quambiant Global Grace Cancer Run-2023" held in the city on Sunday morning at Gachibowli Stadium.

15000 Participated in Hyderabad and over one lakh participated from across 130 countries in a marathon held in dual mode—virtual and physical.  It was a unique run in the sense it was organised in dual mode.

This was its 6th edition.  It was organised to create awareness about cancer.  The theme of the same was 'Be Light'.  It was organised by Grace Cancer Foundation, a Hyderabad-based non-profit organisation with the support of Quambiant Developers as the title sponsor.

GRACE stands for Global Research and Cancer Education.  The run which was organised with the support of Quambiant Developers, Telangana Police, Hyderabad Runners and others was organised in three different categories--5K, 10K, and 21.1K(Half Marathon).

Kajol Agarwal, a well-known film actress graced the closing ceremony of the Marathon and honoured Cancer conquerors with a shawl and a plant.  They include Mrs Shashikala, Mrs Tejovasthi, Mr Sai Nandishwar Rao, Mrs Asad Lakshmi, Mrs Jayaprada, Mrs Sri Latha, Mrs Pushpalatha and others

Speaking to the cheering crowd Kajol Agarwal said it was a brilliant way to start Sunday.  “I learnt that it is the biggest global marathon supporting Cancer”.  Cancer is spreading like wildfire and spreading fast. Cancer has become a problem in society.  Early detection is the best way to address it, she said.

Stephen Raveendra, Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad graced the function along with his daughter and gave away prizes to the winners.  Addressing the gathering he said training for a marathon and finishing it successfully is not an easy job.  A lot of hard work goes into it and whatever the hard work put in is worth it. Replying to emcee RJ Prateeka about the secret behind his fitness, the Senior Police officer of the Cyberabad Police said that he does a lot of strength training.

The winners of the 21.1 K Marathon men's category include Ramesh Chandra, who stood first and walked away with a Rs 15000 cash prize.  Manjo Chand stood second and was awarded Rs 8000/- cash prize and KVB Reddy was in third position and was given away Rs 5000/- The 10K winners were—Ananthanees, Kiran and Avadesh and were given away cash prizes of Rs 10,000/-, 5000/- and 3000/- respectively.

The 21.1k winners in the women's category were Navay, first prize, Maheshwari, second prize and Suparna third prize.  They walked away with Rs 15000/-, 8000/- and 5000/- cash prizes respectively.  The winners of the 10K women category were Bhagyalakshmi, Richa Rai and Kitu Sheoran, 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners and earned Rs 10,000/-, 8000/- and 5000/- respectively.

Ronald Rose, Commissioner GHMC who flagged the 10 K Run and released pigeons into the air to kickstart the marathon said we don’t need a pandemic to create awareness as well as to remind us of the importance of staying fit.  Make running an important activity in your daily life.  When asked about the secret behind his fitness, he said that he gets up early in the morning, and does meditation and a half of physical activity.  I used to run, but now after taking over reins of GHMC unable to do so, he said.

Vijay Mantani, Vice President of Engineering at Microsoft was the Chief Guest and flagged of 21.1 K run.  Speaking on the occasion he said running is a good way to stay fit.  Go for it with full energy, he said.

JA Chowdary, Founding Director of Software Technology Parks of India at Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai former IT advisor and special chief secretary to the Chief Minister, Government of Andhra Pradesh said construction of new cancer hospitals is not the solution.  The only way forward is to keep fit and eat good, healthy and natural food. All must lead an active lifestyle, he said.

GRACE Cancer Foundation, was founded to alleviate cancer burden through Education, Early Detection, Treatment, Rehabilitation and cutting-edge Research. Every participant not only got to run their favourite distance, but they also helped a good cause by donating a portion of their registration fee to cancer screening and awareness” said Dr Chinababu Sunkavalli, Senior Consultant Robotic Surgical Oncologist and Founder of it.

The objectives of the Run according to Dr. Chinababu are to make a meaningful and significant impact on people’s lives by creating awareness about Cancer, to promote physical activity as a means to prevent and combat cancer in society and to help people lead active lifestyles and also to raise funds for screening the underprivileged right at their doorstep, for free.

The Grace Cancer Foundation works towards helping marginalized communities fight cancer.

Dr Pavan Gorukanti, Director Yashoda Hospitals, Mahankali Srinivas Rao, CEO of T-Hub; Ramesh Loganathan, Professor Co-Innovation/Outreach at IIIT Hyderabad; 70 years old retired Doctor Uma; Ramesh Kaza, Secretary, SCSC; Prasad Garapati · Founder Chairman at Innocorp Ltd & Innoglobal DMCC Dubai; Ajay Mishra, Former Bureaucrat, Rajesh Vetcha, Hyderabad Runners Society, Yogendranath, MD of Quambiant Developers and several doctors, paramedical staff, children, NGOs and many others participated.

The list of supporting organisations is Quambiant Developers the title sponsor for Global Grace Cancer Run 2023.  The run is powered by Natco and co-sponsored by Microsoft, Providence, NMDC, Movers.com, Pi Health and Smart IMS. The event is being sponsored in partnership with SCSC, AP, Telangana Police and Global Grace Health and is being hosted in association with Hyderabad Runners, NASSCOM, AMCHAM India, and HYSEA. Yashoda Hospitals is the medical partner.