Pune: National Institute of Ophthalmology will organize the NIO Vision Half Marathon in the city on September 14, 2025 at Sports Complex, Savitribai Phule Pune University. The race will see blind , and visually impaired runners participate along with running enthusiasts from the city.
Addressing the Media Dr Aditya Kelkar of NIO said that the NIO Vision Marathon is striving to raise awareness about Avoidable Blindness. Many of our parents and few of us are in that age group where we could get conditions like Glaucoma or Cataract. In many cases the sight that is lost cannot be recovered back. Regular simple check up can help prevent permanent Blindness, he added
We at NIO are determined and dedicated towards creating awareness and concern about avoidable blindness in society. and in delivering holistic eye care . Hence, Patient education and awareness about avoidable blindness and other eye diseases is the first step towards treating these causes of irreversible blindness . Dr Kelkar said.
Dr. Jaee Kelkar said that, The NIO Vision Marathon 2025 is a very unique and impactful running event organized by NIO in Pune, India to raise awareness about avoidable blindness – a condition that affects millions globally but can often be prevented or treated with timely intervention. Dr. Shreekant Kelkar, founder of NIO, Dr. Aparna Kelkar, Mr. Ashish Kasodekar, Founder of Simple Steps Fitness were present on the occasion.
The event which is being conducted by city based NIO will include a 3Km, 5Km, 10Km and 21.1Km races. A twist on the theme, you can run any of these distance blindfolded along with your buddy to guide you on the route. After the regular runs, the marathon will also have a run with the visually impaired, not just for them to have fun but for normal people to experience and feel their world and see how normal they are and willing to take on jobs and responsibilities like everyone else. This activity depends on how many visually impaired participant show up and are willing to walk/run.
For NIO Vision Marathon we are getting participants from almost all over in Pune. Those interested in joining the run could register on: https://www.townscript.com/e/nio-vision-marathon-2025
