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Despite Delhi’s alarming air quality, the Sekhon IAF Marathon 2025 was flagged off on Sunday morning at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The event, organised by the Indian Air Force (IAF), saw the participation of actors Shefali Shah, Huma Qureshi, Archana Puran Singh, and Sunil Grover, who joined the flag-off ceremony that drew hundreds of runners from across the city. Soon after videos from the event surfaced online, social media users expressed outrage over the timing of the marathon. Many criticised the organisers for conducting an outdoor fitness event when Delhi’s air quality had reached hazardous levels, with some calling the decision “irresponsible.” #WATCH | New Delhi | Actors Archana Puran Singh, Huma Qureshi, Shefali Shah, Sunil Grover flag off Sekhon IAF Marathon 2025, a half-marathon with 10 KM and 5 KM runs, from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. pic.twitter.com/SxQMhExQjD — ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2025 One user commented, “Why is a marathon being organised under such polluted conditions when doctors are advising to leave Delhi.” Another remarked, “Marathon in Delhi? In a gas chamber? Hats off to the organizers.” A third comment read, “Are you serious we are having a marathon in this AQI – we are an idiotic country.” According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 421 near AIIMS and adjoining areas on Sunday — a level classified as ‘Severe’. This marked a sharp rise from Saturday’s citywide average of 245, which already fell in the ‘Poor’ category. At 8 am, the AQI readings across several key locations underscored the crisis: Anand Vihar (298), Alipur (258), Ashok Vihar (404), Chandni Chowk (414), Dwarka Sector-8 (407), ITO (312), Mandir Marg (367), Okhla Phase-2 (382), Patparganj (378), Punjabi Bagh (403), RK Puram (421), Lodhi Road (364), Rohini (415), and Sirifort (403). Most of these figures placed the capital firmly in the ‘Severe’ or ‘Very Poor’ categories. As Delhi continues to battle choking smog, health experts have urged residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. The hosting of a marathon in such conditions — particularly one involving high physical exertion — has therefore intensified public criticism of event organisers and participants alike.
