5,000+ Runners Turn Out for Sekhon IAF Marathon Honouring Param Vir Chakra Hero

More than 5,000 participants took part in the second edition of the Sekhon Indian Air Force Marathon in Chandigarh on Sunday, organised to commemorate the valour and legacy of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, the 1971 war hero and only Indian Air Force officer to have received the Param Vir Chakra.

The marathon was jointly organised by the Indian Air Force and Chandigarh administration. Participants included fitness enthusiasts, professional athletes, serving personnel, veterans, students and youth from Chandigarh, neighbouring areas and other states.

The event also saw participation from men, women and children across age groups. Air Marshal George Thomas, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command, was the chief guest at the event.

The marathon featured races in various categories and concluded with an award ceremony. It was organised to commemorate Sekhon’s service and sacrifice while promoting fitness, discipline and national spirit.

The event was also aligned with the Centre’s Fit India Movement, which promotes fitness and an active lifestyle among people.

Sekhon was born in Ludhiana and served as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force. During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, he was involved in defending Srinagar airfield when Pakistani Sabre jets attacked the airfield in December that year.

Sekhon, who was serving with No. 18 Squadron, took off to engage the attacking aircraft. He fought against six Pakistani Sabre jets during the attack before his aircraft was shot down and he was killed.

He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his actions during the battle. Sekhon remains the only Indian Air Force officer to have received the country’s highest military decoration for gallantry.

The marathon was held in his memory, with participants from different sections of society joining the event. The programme combined the commemoration of Sekhon’s military legacy with a public fitness event in Chandigarh.

The second edition concluded with the award ceremony, marking the end of the marathon organised in remembrance of the decorated IAF officer.