The Sekhon Indian Air Force Marathon – 2026 was held in Chandigarh on Sunday, with about 5,000 people joining the event. The marathon was organised in the memory of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, the Indian Air Force's only Param Vir Chakra recipient.
The event brought together a wide mix of people. Fitness enthusiasts, professional athletes, serving personnel, veterans, students and youth from Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali and adjoining areas took part with enthusiasm.
Sekhon IAF Marathon 2026: Categories and Purpose
The marathon was conducted in several categories, with different distances and age groups. This allowed people of varying fitness levels and ages to take part.
The event honoured Flying Officer Sekhon's supreme sacrifice, courage and unwavering commitment to the nation. It also aimed to promote fitness, discipline and national spirit among participants.
Who Was Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon?
Flying Officer Sekhon hailed from Ludhiana. During the 1971 India-Pakistan War, he was just 28 years old and was deployed at the Srinagar sector.
He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to have been awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the country's highest wartime military honour. The marathon in Chandigarh is named after him as a tribute to his service and sacrifice.
Our Take: Why This Marathon Matters
In our view, the Sekhon IAF Marathon is more than a fitness event. It keeps the memory of a national hero alive among ordinary citizens — students, veterans and young athletes who may never have read about Flying Officer Sekhon's story in a textbook.
To put it plainly, events like this do two things at once. They encourage people to stay fit and disciplined, and they connect a new generation to the people who protected the country. When 5,000 people gather in Chandigarh to run in a hero's name, that is a quiet but strong statement of respect.
For readers, the message is simple. The next time this marathon is announced, consider joining it. It is a chance to test your own fitness while paying tribute to a man who gave everything for the nation at just 28.
